Jan Staechmann makes a welcome return for JT Commercials/Fox Oxford Cheetahs as they take on Poole Pirates in the first leg of the Speedway Star KO Cup at Wimborne Road tonight (7.30pm).

The dashing Dane was a victim of team changes during the winter and even asked for a transfer but failed to get fixed up with another club.

All the while, however, he was being kept in reserve as not too many people thought Jon Underwood would be able to strut his stuff in the Elite League.

Now, after the regulation six matches, Oxford can make changes and the Dane is the first man in. Tonight will also see Todd Wiltshire and Mark Loram renew rivalry after both were superb in the Grand Prix in Prague over the weekend.

It was on this track that Witshire won the Overseas final last summer to give him his ticket to the GP, and he will relish his return to the south coast.

With Lukas Dryml out with a suspected broken jaw, Lawrence Hare steps in at reserve.

His presence gives Cheetahs a real boost and it's not beyond Oxford to restrict the Pirates to a recoverable lead for the return at Sandy Lane on Friday.

Ales Dryml drops to reserve tonight and should find things a little easier.