Speedway: Stoke Eazy Rider Potters pen pictures

ASHLEY BIRKS

The 21-year-old, took up speedway after a successful career in moto-cross. Now in his third season after progressing through the Stoke training schools, Birks helped Scunthorpe/Sheffield win the National League, while doubling up with Premier League Sheffield.

He is with parent club Scunthorpe this season as well as the Potters.

TONY ATKIN

Atkin is a veteran rider who had a very successful grasstrack career before going full time in speedway.

The 46-year-old became a Stoke asset last season after his contract was purchased from Newport.

He shows little sign of slowing down and manager Malcolm Vasey has called him the best captain he has worked with.

RICHIE WORRALL

Worrall started speedway in the 2010 season, but the Scunthorpe asset is already well regarded.

He has contracts to ride in all three British leagues this season – Lakeside in the Elite, Newcastle in the Premier and Stoke.

The 20-year-old wintered in Australia and has been seeded through to the British Under-21 final at Dudley this month.

JAIMIE PICKARD

The 22-year-old joined Stoke last year and turned in his best season in the sport.

Pickard reached the British Under-21 final last year and attracted Premier League rides with Plymouth, which alerted Wolverhampton who snapped up his contract from Newport.

Pickard has set his sights high this season as he looks to find a permanent Premier League spot.

BEN READE

Reade was ready to go to Argentina a few years ago when it was discovered that he had a heart defect.

Now fully recovered, the 21-year-old Plymouth asset had his first full season in the sport last year and did enough for Stoke to want him back.

He starts with renewed confidence and has targeted a move out of the reserve berth as one of his aims.

DAN BERWICK

Plymouth asset Berwick seemed to be settling into the sport until a bad accident in 2009 left him on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old returned to the sport and joined Plymouth on a full-contract but then took time out to rebuild his health and confidence.

Berwick has ridden in a number of amateur meetings and is a dirt-track champion.

RHYS NAYLOR

The 18-year-old King's Lynn asset won the British Under-15 championship which led to interest from the National League.

Naylor joins on loan from the Norfolk club and will slot in to the side at number four.

He is expected to make his Stoke debut on Easter Monday after injury ruled him out of the Potters' early-season meetings.