KING’S Lynn host Sheffield in a massive night of Sports Insure Premiership racing on Thursday (7.30pm) – with two riders making their debuts for the MacInnes Stars.

2021 World Champion Artem Laguta will be in Stars colours for the first time after the club announced a sensational move to bring him to UK racing for the first time.

And Kye Thomson also makes his Lynn bow, coming in at reserve alongside Rising Star Jason Edwards.

There is one other change to the regular line-up on the night with Nick Morris coming in to guest for Nicolai Klindt, who has a clashing fixture in Poland.

The signing of Laguta has generated a hugely positive reaction and a real big-meeting atmosphere is expected at the Adrian Flux Arena as Laguta makes his first appearance.

Team manager Alex Brady said: “The first target is to get Artem settled in well and with a good home win for us, and anything beyond that would be a real bonus.

“Artem going out in Heat 1 is going to be a sight that a lot of people want to see, and I’m sure there will be a big crowd and lots of noise – it’s a shot in the arm not just for King’s Lynn but for British Speedway in general.

“The King’s Lynn fans have been crying out for a genuine No.1 for a long time, and I feel that we’ve managed to deliver that.

“The general noise so far has been good on social media, and people have dropped me messages to say they’ll be there on Thursday and there for the rest of the season.

“If we can grow the crowds then hopefully these sorts of signings aren’t just a one-off, and who knows what it might lead to in terms of other riders in future if Artem has a good time and enjoys himself?

“It’s a big investment from us as a club, and a big investment from Artem too, so we want to make sure it works for all parties.

“On-track I’m sure he’ll deliver the results we want and expect, and off-track he’ll bring a huge amount to the rest of the team and give them that little boost they need.

“I think this change turns us from a team which may potentially have just gatecrashed the play-offs into a team that’s got a real, genuine chance of making it – and once you get there, anything can happen!”

The Tigers, who have a terrific record at the Adrian Flux Arena, have reshuffled their riding order with Polish ace Tobiasz Musielak now at No.1, and former Stars favourite Lewis Kerr is back in the top five.

Frenchman David Bellego is ruled out with concussion, so the visitors will operate the rider replacement facility. They hold a 60-30 advantage for the aggregate point after last week’s reverse fixture at Owlerton.

A reminder that all under-16s go free, and there will be free whistles handed out to the first 150 children who enter the stadium on Thursday.

KING’S LYNN: Artem Laguta, Thomas Jorgensen, Frederik Jakobsen, Nick Morris, Michael Palm Toft, Kye Thomson, Jason Edwards.
SHEFFIELD: Tobiasz Musielak, Lewis Kerr, Adam Ellis, David Bellego R/R, Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Dan Gilkes.