SHEFFIELD favourite Kyle Howarth will race in his first meeting in over a year tomorrow (Thursday).

Howarth, who kept his place in the Tigers side when they were promoted into the Premiership for 2020, faces tough opposition in Belle Vue’s Peter Craven Memorial Trophy.

And not only will it be his first meeting of the year after the league season was wiped out by the pandemic, but it comes just seven weeks after surgery on his shoulder to prevent more problems.

He said: “I’m buzzing to be back on the bike after even months off and a year without racing. “I’m not going there with any high expectations, I’m just going to have some fun, try and score as many points as possible and I’m happy to be mixing back with the boys.”

Triple World Champion Jason Crump, British Champion Rory Schlein, former Grand Prix riders Chris Harris and Troy Batchelor and World Under-21 Champion Jaimon Lidsey are all included in the field.

The meeting will be streamed live with passes available from sportcentral.tv with the racing starting at 7.30.

“I hope Sheffield fans can sign up and enjoy the racing,” said Howarth. “I’m really looking forward to it although I could hardly have picked a tougher one to race in!

“I would have loved to have raced in the British Final last month but it came just too soon for me after the operation but rehab and training has gone well so I’m looking forward to Thursday.”