GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs travel to Poole tonight when nothing less than a handsome victory will keep their season on the boil.

Three victories in their last three meetings would still keep their play-off hopes alive and the winning must start in their Elite League speedway encounter at Wimborne Road.

One surprising inclusion in the line-up is that of Oxford's Jan Staechmann.

He missed Oxford's draw against Swindon on Friday because of a broken wrist, but now that appears not to be the case. A further visit to the doctor by the Dane revealed no break.

Team manager Martin Goodwin said: "He reckons he will be OK and is working on his bikes. I have asked Lee Richardson to stand by just in case."

Oxford lost out 48-41 on their last visit to the south coast and since then the Pirates have strengthened their team with the inclusion of former world champion Gary Havelock.

Jason Crump will be without his best bikes as they are already in Poland for Friday's Grand Prix, and it looks as though the Oxford lads will be up against it.

They need victory tonight to keep the pot boiling, otherwise their season will be over.

Poole track two former Oxford riders in Craig Boyce and Mark Lemon, while like Crump, Ryan Sullivan and Boyce will be heading straight for Poland.

Poole: Boyce, Havelock, Sullivan, Tatum, Lemon, Zetterstrom.

Oxford: Crump, Johnston, Wiltshire, Hurry, Schofield, Staechmann or Richardson.

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