SHEFFIELD Tigers are sweating on the fitness of captain Ricky Ashworth ahead of Thursday’s Owlerton clash with Scunthorpe (7.45).

Ashworth suffered injuries to the right side of his body during an Elite League appearance as a guest for Belle Vue at Eastbourne on Saturday.

He’s been in discomfort throughout the week and will make a late decision on whether to face the Scorpions.

He said: “The wound looks like a tattoo on the side of my body. I’m feeling a bit better but I’ll make a late decision.”

Scunthorpe have brought in former Sheffield rider Adam Allott in place of Nick Simmons in the number three slot.

Magnus Karlsson is a Sheffield specialist and he was linked to the club four-years ago in a potential winter move but a clash with fixtures in Sweden ruled him out.

And David Howe is enjoying a purple patch in his debut Premier League campaign after making the switch from Elite League Wolves.

Tigers owner Neil Machin said: “We know all about Scunthorpe, Rob Godfrey and Kenny Smith will have their boys wound up for this.

“It’s going to be a tough test but after we beat King’s Lynn here last week we’re in a confident mood. It should be a cracker.”

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Hugh Skidmore, Chris Mills, Richard Hall, Josh Auty, Joel Parsons, Paul Cooper.
SCUNTHORPE: Magnus Karlsson, Viktor Bergstrom, Adam Allott, Carl Wilkinson, David Howe, Jerran Hart, Simon Lambert.