Final outing for 2016 Scorpions

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions take to the track for the final time this season at Newcastle this evening (6.30pm).

Skipper Josh Auty (pictured) returns, after being ruled out of the last three meetings through illness.

But Ryan Douglas is ruled out due to a back problem. The Australian crashed in Heat 15 of Scunthorpe’s recent visit to Sheffield, and then aggravated the injury in a further fall at Plymouth. Scorpions will use rider replacement in his absence.

With Carl Wilkinson still out with rib damage and Josh Bailey ruled out with his collarbone injury, Scorpions bring in Josh Bates and Chris Widman respectively as guests.

Austrian Fritz Wallner, on a 5.00 average having completed 4 home and 4 away meetings, drops to reserve for tonight’s clash.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Newcastle has not been our happiest hunting ground in recent seasons – we even got clobbered there twice in 2012 when we won the Premier League.

“Having said that, we’ll go into the meeting with an open mind, and see what happens, since we do have a couple of riders in Lewis Kerr and Michael Palm Toft who have already scored double figures at Brough Park this season.

“Whatever tonight’s result, we’ve finished the season with our best spell of form during the year and go into the winter with optimism for next season.”

Expected teams for tonight:

Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Victor Palovaara, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Ludvig Lindgren, 5. Robert Lambert, 6. Ashley Morris, 7. Danny Phillips.

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Josh Bates (guest), 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Rider replacement for Ryan Douglas, 6. Fritz Wallner, 7. Chris Widman (guest).