OXFORD Cheetahs’ new-look line-up will aim to regain lost ground in their second Isle of Wight meeting this evening.

Gordon Kennett’s side finished last in the opening event at the Smallbrook Stadium a fortnight ago, after captain Nathan Stoneman and James Laker crashed out.

They have been replaced by Connor Coles and Charlie Powell, with Ryan Terry-Daley promoted to No 1 and Jamie Sealey completing the team.

Coles is a third-generation rider and is the son of Michael Coles, who competed for Cheetahs in the 1990s.

He was part of the side that raced on the Isle of Wight two years ago, scoring 9+1, while he posted 11+2 for Belle Vue in a National League match at Mildenhall on Sunday.

Powell won the National League with Eastbourne Eagles in 2018 during a four-year spell with the club.

Team manager Kennett said: “It’s a real shame that the two guys were hurt in the first meeting, especially since Nathan Stoneman was flying, but we’ve got some good riders coming in.

“If the luck is with us this time, I think we can come out fighting.

“We’d love to win one of the three meetings and we’ve got every chance in this one.”

The teams are competing for the Cliff Peasley Trophy, with the Isle of Wight in the lead on 41 and Cheetahs (23) behind Cradley Heath (26).

The action starts at 6.15pm.

Fans in Ryde will be able to watch former Cheetah Bruce Cribb on an ice speedway bike, complete with spiked tyres.

Now 75, he rode for Oxford in the latter part of the 1980 season and won the World Team Cup with New Zealand in 1979.