DOUBLE world champion Jason Crump has been ruled out of tonight’s one-off return of homeless Oxford Cheetahs at Swindon’s Abbey Stadium (7.30pm), writes ROBERT PEASLEY.

The 34-year-old Australian crashed out of the Belle Vue v Ipswich Elite League match on Monday night.

Fears that Crump had broken his arm have proved unfounded, but he has sustained nasty friction burns and a puncture wound.

Crump faces a race to be fit for the Italian Grand Prix a week on Saturday. He leads the World Championship standings by 26 points.

Fellow Australian World Cup star Troy Batchelor is a late call-up to the Oxford side to replace Crump. Ironically, Batchelor was the other rider involved in Monday’s accident. Tonight’s action is a 16-heat four team tournament, also featuring teams from hosts Swindon, plus fellow homeless clubs, Reading and Cradley Heath.

While the withdrawal of Crump is a big blow for organisers, there is still much to excite the travelling Oxford fans, with the Cheetahs competing at first-team level for the first time since May 2007.

Niels-Kristian Iversen, Steve Johnston and Paul Hurry are all former Oxford favourites.

Iversen has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, and reached the final of the Danish Grand Prix in June.

And Johnston is Oxford’s longest-serving rider of recent times, having ridden for Cheetahs in six seasons, including captaining them to the Elite League championship in 2001.

With no sign in sight of a return to Oxford Stadium, Cheetahs fans are being urged to attend tonight’s clash and also to take along their team colours. Team manager Richard Palmer said: “The meeting is a fantastic opportunity to show any interested parties of the support still existing for Oxford Cheetahs.

“It’s bound to be a night full of memories and nostalgia.

“I’m sure Cheetahs fans remember the highly-charged derby clashes against Swindon and Reading.

“And then there’s the unforgettable Oxford v Cradley matches of the 1980s, including the showdowns between Hans Nielsen and Erik Gundersen.”

Admission prices tonight are: £15 for adults, £12 for concessions, £5 for children aged 11-15, and free entry for accompanied children under 11.

Teams Oxford: N-K Iversen, T Batchelor, S Johnston, P Hurry.

Swindon: L Adams, S Stead, M Korneliussen, M Risager.

Reading: M Zagar, P Hougaard, T McGowan, M Lemon.

Cradley Heath: H Andersen, A Shields, D Ward, C Gathercole.