KING’S Lynn favourite Robert Lambert makes his first home appearance in nearly four years when the Stars host Belle Vue at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday (7.30pm).
Lambert’s return is a huge boost for the MacInnes Stars as the end of a turbulent season approaches, and his two scheduled home matches both provide an enticing prospect.
The clash with the Aces will see him come up against the likes of Brady Kurtz and his Great Britain colleague Dan Bewley, the double British Champion.
And then when the Stars host Ipswich on September 4, that will pitch him against Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle who have been such a stunning spearhead for the Foxhall club.
Thursday’s meeting is the penultimate home match of the season, and Belle Vue arrive with a seven point lead at the top of the table.
The Aces are the reigning league champions but if anything their form in 2023 has been even more convincing, especially with six away wins on the board so far.
They travel with a full-strength side whilst the Stars still have to battle on with skipper Nicolai Klindt and Thomas Jorgensen on the long-term injury list.
With only one Sports Insure Premiership team not racing on Thursday and a lack of heat leader guest availability, the Stars are grateful to Jordan Jenkins for agreeing to stand in for Jorgensen, whilst rider replacement will be in operation for Klindt.
Meanwhile Michael Palm Toft makes his first home appearance in over two months after his own comeback from injury.
And it will be a first home outing as captain for Simon Lambert, who was announced in the role prior to Monday’s trip to the National Speedway Stadium.
Lambert said: “It’s a good honour and I enjoy it. It was hard work to do a lot on Monday with having seven rides myself, but we go again.
“We’ve got Belle Vue again on Thursday and there are no easy meetings, but it would be so good just to get a win, for Buster (Chapman), Dale (Allitt), Hoggy (David Hoggart) and the fans especially.
“I saw a few Lynn fans on the back straight at Belle Vue and we keep saying it’s not easy for anyone – but we keep going and Thursday is a new day. We’ll regroup and give it our all.”
KING’S LYNN: Robert Lambert, Nicolai Klindt r/r, Emil Breum, Jordan Jenkins, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert, Anders Rowe. BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Tom Brennan, Jaimon Lidsey, Charles Wright, Dan Bewley, Norick Blodorn, Connor Bailey.
