AFTER two close races against the holders, Mildenhall Fen Tigers, the Isle of Wight Wightlink Warriors are back in National Trophy action when they host the Plymouth Gladiators to their arena, Ryde's Smallbrook Stadium, tomorrow (Thursday).

The meeting will feature 21 heats of fast and furious on-track speedway combat.

As part of the event, speedway fans will have the bonus of seeing the Wightlink Wizards try to clip the wings of the Exeter Falcons in the Midland and South Development League.

Keen to build on last week’s encouraging win over Mildenhall, the Warriors tackle newly re-branded Plymouth, who will track no fewer than four former Warriors — all of them keen, no doubt, to show their former employers a thing or two.

The Warriors have no injury concerns and, with last week giving the new riders the chance to acclimatise, the home side go into this meeting looking to build on the all-round team performance shown against the Fen Tigers.

They will be especially keen to get back to winning ways, following an encouraging, yet ultimately unsuccessful, meeting at Mildenhall on Sunday, which saw the Islanders in the reckoning before missing out in the final two heats.

In addition to the Wightlink Warriors, the Wightlink Wizards will have their first home outing of the season, up against a strong Exeter side sure to test the home quartet during their six-heat meeting.

Warriors co-promoter, Barry Bishop, said: “We’ve got another great night of racing to get through.

"Although we slipped up towards the end of our match at Mildenhall, I was delighted by the attitude of our riders.

"There can be no doubting they all did their best. If we keep that level of commitment going, we’ll be well placed to go for another home win.

"I’ll be doubly thrilled if the Wizards start with a home victory too."

Warriors (from): Connor King, Ben Morley, Ryan Terry-Daley, Danno Verge, Chris Widman, Chad Wirtzfeld and Georgie Wood.

Wizards (from): Ben Ilsley, Jamie Sealey, Chris Watts and Chad Wirtzfeld.

Gates open at 5.30pm, with tapes up at 7pm.