PREVIEW: Masters and Nicholls to lead Cheetahs’ charge in Redcar

*UPDATE – 9.44am* Owning to family circumstances, Scott Nicholls will now not ride at Redcar this evening. Benjamin Basso has been booked to guest in his place.

The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs have been boosted by news that top pair Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls will ride in Friday’s Cab Direct Championship visit to Redcar Bears (7.30pm).

Masters had been selected to represent Team Australia at the FIM Speedway World Cup while Nicholls is a regular on the World Championship tour owing to his media commitments with Discovery.

With Australia choosing to track Jaimon Lidsey, Jack Holder, Max Fricke and Jason Doyle, Masters is free to lead the Cheetahs’ charge at the ECCO Arena while Nicholls has also committed to racing.

Team Manager Peter Schroeck has also announced Plymouth’s Kyle Howarth will guest in place of Lewis Kerr who remains on the sidelines following his crash at Berwick in June.

Cheetahs enter the meeting top of the table having won all 10 of their opening league fixtures. Redcar meanwhile sit fifth with nine points secured from their eight matches.

Schroeck said: “It’s a big boost to have Sam (Masters) and Scott (Nicholls) available for this meeting.

“Everyone in the squad rides Redcar well and we’re really pleased to secure Kyle Howarth as our guest for Lewi. Kyle has a decent record at this track so we’re confident he’ll fit into the team nicely.

“We’ve enjoyed some close meetings with Redcar since our regeneration got going last year. They score from one to seven at home and I’d expect them to be featuring in the play-offs at the end of the year.

“It’s going to be a tough test and our unbeaten record is certainly going on the line here. It’d be great to get the win and tee-up Scunthorpe’s visit to Sandy Lane next week with another W in the bag.”

Tapes-up at the ECCO Arena is at 7.30pm with updates available via @OxfordSpeedway across social media.

Monarch Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Henry Atkins, Kyle Howarth (G), Jordan Jenkins, Benjamin Basso (G), Cameron Heeps, Ryan Kinsley.

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE Due to family circumstances, Scott Nicholls won’t be available tonight and Benjamin Basso will guest in Scott’s place.