New Oxford Cheetahs skipper Steve Johnston is relishing the chance to lead the team for the first time against Arena Essex tonight.

But Johnston, who replaces Jesper Jensen as captain, faces the daunting prospect of trying to lower the colours of the home specialists at Purfleet.

The Lakeside Hammers are a potent force on their own patch and with Cheetahs in a terrible run at the moment, it's difficult to see anything but a home victory.

However, Johnston, a former captain of the Hammers, may mark his debut with a 'let's up and at em' attitude.

He said: "I feel very good at having the opportunity to lead the team again.

"Having said that, I didn't want to put anybody's nose out of joint.

"Jesper has been riding in this country for ten years and has never been a captain.

"Jesper and I get on ever so well and probably communicate with each other more than other team members.

"He wants the opportunity to sort himself out and that can only be good for the team.

"I have been captain for every team I have ridden for in the UK, and when asked, I was more than happy to take it on."

The Hammers danger men are Krzysztof Kasparzak, Joonas Kylmakorpi and Adam Shields.

They are also strong at the reserve spots with Henning Bager and Christian Hefenbrock, who will give Andy Smith and Eric Andersson plenty to think about.

Arena Essex: Kylmakorpi, Hurry, Kasprzak, Lanham, Shields, Hepfenbrock, Bager.

Oxford: Jensen, Eriksson, Rider-replacement (A Dryml), Johnston, Protasiewicz, Andersson, Smith.