Oxford Silver Machine are pinning their hopes on David Norris as he takes over from captain Greg Hancock for their hectic three matches in three days schedule, starting with tonight's Skybet Elite League clash at Peterborough.

The Eastbourne ace, who finished second behind Joe Screen in the British Championship at Oxford on Friday, will cover for Hancock who is sidelined with a recurrence of a shoulder injury.

Norris, who will ride at No 5 at the East of England Showground, has been in imperious form this season.

Apart from notching an 18-point maximum for Oxford against Coventry, he weighed in with another paid 18 for Eastbourne at Wolverhampton on Monday night.

It looks as though promoter Nigel Wagstaff has chosen wisely.

With Hancock out, Sebastian Ulamek is set to move to the No 1 position, while Travis McGowan will move down to three where he will partner Rafal Dobrucki.

Jonas Davidsson returns to the first reserve berth after injury to strengthen Oxford's bottom end.

The Panthers are second bottom and have been hit with injury recently, so Oxford will be confident of picking up their third away victory.

With the Silver Machine in fifth place, it is vital that they cement their play-off position and, if possible, achieve third place to get that vital home leg in the first round of the play-offs.

Oxford also have a great chance of the bonus point, as they already have a 16-point lead from the first leg.

After tonight's clash Silver Machine hit the road again tomorrow when they travel to Ipswich.

The following evening they host the Witches at Sandy Lane.

TONIGHT'S LINE-UPS

Peterborough: G Havelock, Rider-replacement, L Dryml, H Bager, A Dryml, L Richardson, D Sledz, R Ashworth.

Oxford: S Ulamek, N-K Iversen, T McGowan, R Dobrucki, D Norris, J Davidsson, R Fisher.