SHEFFIELD Tigers launch a hectic month of Speedway action with a vital Premier League clash against Stoke Potters at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45).

The Sheffield Window Centre-backed side have a host of fixtures lined-up in their bid to reach the top four and book their place in the play-offs.

But they'll have to do it without popular skipper Paul Cooper who remains on the sidelines after his serious crash in a Grasstrack event at the weekend.

Berwick’s Polish rider Michal Rajkowski has been called in to deputise as a guest rider.

Josh Auty is rewarded for his stunning run of form with the number one racejacket and Ricky Ashworth switches to number five with the publication of the new averages.

German Frank Facher makes his debut for Stoke and Lee Smart moves into their top five.

Sheffield owner Neil Machin said: "This is a big meeting for us, we need to start the month of August with a win and I would urge our fans to turn out in force."

SHEFFIELD: Josh Auty, Hugh Skidmore, Josef Franc, Richard Hall, Ricky Ashworth, Michal Rajkowsky, Simon Lambert.

STOKE: Taylor Poole, Ricky Wells, Frank Facher, Lee Smart, Claus Vissing, Jan Graversen, Lubos Tomicek.