Speedway: All change as Potters axe Naylor and bring in teen ace

IT will be a new-look Stoke Easy Rider Potters team who take on National League neighbours Buxton home and away this weekend.

Stoke have drafted in 17-year-old Berwick asset Liam Carr in place of Rhys Naylor, who has struggled to score consistently.

Team manager Malcolm Vasey said: "We are continually monitoring the situation, and if there is a need and an opportunity to strengthen the team we will do so.

"This is a results-based industry and we are continually looking at what alternatives there may be to improve our ambitions.

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"Liam has come highly recommended and we are delighted to have him in our side for this weekend's matches.

"Hopefully this change will turn out to be a positive for the team and the supporters."

Stoke host the first leg of the double header at 7pm tomorrow, with the return at Hi-Edge Raceway on Sunday at 3pm.

Skipper Tony Atkin made clear that Stoke need to be beating teams like Buxton if they are to flourish in the National League this season.

He said: "Yes, these are the fixtures we need to be looking to win if we are to finish in the top four and get to the play-offs, but racing is never that straightforward.

"We banked a point from our fixture at Isle of Wight on Tuesday which, in all honesty, I had hoped would have been more. But one point is better than none, and with the likes of Dudley and Mildenhall looking strong, we need to keep pace."

Buxton's team-building plans were badly hit when Ben Taylor, last season's number one, cried off on the eve of the new campaign.

Then Tim Webster, who had joined the club on loan from Stoke, walked away just as the season got underway.

As a result, the Hitmen have struggled. They were eliminated from the KO Cup by Dudley by a massive 119-64 aggregate score, and then lost at home to Isle of Wight last Sunday in a National League tie.

Robert Branford has been handed the number one vest in place of Taylor, and he is joined in the side by Dean Felton, Luke Priest and Adam McKinna, all of whom have had connections with Stoke. Richard Andrews makes up the top five, while Ryan Blacklock, a former motocross rider, and teenager Michael Neale take are reserves.

Stoke will operate rider replacement for Richie Worrall in both meetings as the 21-year-old from St Helens will be at Lakeside on Sunday as part of the Great Britain under-21s team taking on Australia, Denmark and Czech Republic.

LINE-UPS FOR STOKE v BUXTON HOME AND AWAY

Stoke: A Birks, J Pickard, T Atkin, L Carr, R Worrall (r/r), R Walter, B Reade.

Buxton: R Branford, R Andrews, D Felton, L Priest, A McKinna, M Neale, R Blackstock.

NEIL EVANS