Oxford Cheetahs boast former Wolverhampton ace 'Sudden' Sam Ermolenko in their line-up, when they take on Poole Pirates in a Sky Sports Elite League clash at the Stadium on Friday night (June 14, 7.30pm).

The American ex-world champion, who now doubles up as a rider for Belle Vue, as well as working as a Sky TV expert, comes in for the absent Lukas Dryml, who is riding in a championship qualifier.

Brian Andersen is again absent and Oxford will continue to use rider-replacement to bolster their line-up.

The encounter brings back to the Sandy Lane stadium, world title favourite Tony Rickardsson, and fellow GP star Gregor Walasek.

However, the Pirates will be without both Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen.

Like the Cheetahs, Poole will operate rider replacement for Pedersen, while they have booked Sam Tesar as a guest for Andersen.

Vanessa Purchase says she is not concerned by the Oxford track specialist Tesar's inclusion.

"I am convinced that we have the strength to do it," she said.

"But it is going to be a fantastic speedway meeting and I certainly would not want to miss it."

The Cheetahs narrowly beat the Pirates a few weeks ago in a nail-biting match, but they were soundly beaten when they travelled to the south coast for the return fixture at the end of May, losing out on the bonus point.

With Poole and Oxford very close in the table, every point is vital in the quest for League points, and tonight's match could prove decisive in the final analysis.

Purchase added: "Things haven't gone that well in the first half of the season.

"But we really need to get the maximum out of the second half, and a win over the Pirates would be the perfect boost."

Team boss Colin Meredith said: "We have asked Sam to cover, and he was more than pleased to do so.

"A rider of his experience will help us at the top end with Leigh and with Johno back to his best, we are a solid outfit."

With a large crowd expected, fans urged to arrive early. There is a free overflow car park at Unipart, which is just a few minutes walk away from the stadium.

Oxford: Adams, Rider-Replacement, Johnston, Dryml, Ermolenko, Lemon, Appleton

Poole: Havelock, Rider-Replacement, Tesar, Walasek, Rickardsson, Chrzanowski, Staszewski.