Barring any unforeseen hitches, Sky Sports Elite League speedway will be up and running again at Oxford in March.

Talks: Colin MeredithProspective new promoter Nigel Wagstaff was upbeat following a meeting with BSPA chairman Chris Van Straaten and vice-chairman Peter Toogood at the Longwall Hotel, Cowley.

Wagstaff said: "I was reasonably happy with the outcome of the meeting, but a full statement will be made by the BSPA later."

Sadly though, it won't be the Cheetahs who roar into action in two and a half months' time as Oxford owner Steve Purchase has barred any new promoter from using the name.

It's likely to be the Oxford 'Silver Machine', a title linked with Wagstaff's former club King's Lynn.

Wagstaff gave a hint of his likely line-up by saying: "I have always kept an open dialogue with last year's riders and there are likely to be three of those involved in any move to Oxford. Two are assets and one is an on-loan GP rider."

He also revealed that Niklas Klingberg is a possibility, while Sebastian Ulamek is keen to come back.

The promoter's top priority will be a No 1 and several names, including Coventry's Andreas Jonsson and Greg Hancock, and former Cheetah Jason Crump have been mentioned.

It appears though that there will be no place for any of last year's Oxford team.

Leigh Adams has joined Poole, who are also reported to have done a deal with Lukas Dryml, while Steve Johnston has moved to Belle Vue. Brian Andersen is a Coventry asset and Ales Dryml has admitted he can't handle the Oxford circuit that well.

Colin Meredith, last year's team manager and track curator, is in talks with Wagstaff and there is every likelihood he will return to Sandy Lane, but in what capacity is unclear.

Elite League promoters will meet on Thursday to discuss team strengths for the new season.

Clubs have been given flexibility to go slightly above the 45-point limit, with the agreement of fellow bosses.

The move was made so that riders would not be denied the chance of a team place just because it would take the combined team average a fraction over the limit.