SHEFFIELD'S Speedway stars face a tough test with three matches in successive days - starting at Owlerton on Thursday.

Eric Boocock's men face Redcar at home in Premier Trophy action, followed by the return trip 24-hours later and a visit to Stoke on Saturday.

King's Lynn's Simon Lambert will deputise for injured Tigers reserve Lee Smethills in all three outings. Smethills is still struggling with a foot injury and has been advised to rest by medics.

Redcar, meanwhile, have pulled off a smart move by booking former Owlerton favourite James Birkinshaw as a guest replacement for the injured Chris Kerr in Thursday's clash - and James Grieves is out through illness.

Birkinshaw is a Sheffield specialist and left the club during the winter for Birmingham.

Sheffield owner Neil Machin said: "This is a vital time for us and it will certainly make or break our hopes of qualifying from the Premier Trophy group stages.

"I was shocked to learn that James Birkinshaw is riding for Redcar on Thursday and that will certainly add spice to the meeting.

"I'd also like to thank Simon Lambert for agreeing to step in and cover for Lee Smethills."

TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Joel Parsons, Simon Lambert, Sam Martin.
REDCAR: Gary Havelock, James Birkinshaw, James Grieves R/R, Josh Auty, Ty Proctor, Arlo Bugeja, Daniel Giffard.