The four-team tournament involving Oxford Cheetahs at Swindon on Thursday has been postponed, after the riding line-up has been decimated by injury and international call-ups, writes ROBERT PEASLEY.

It is hoped the meeting can be re-staged at a later date.

World No 12 Niels-Kristian Iversen, who was due to lead the Cheetahs, has been called up for this weekend’s Latvian Grand Prix at Daugavpils in place of world champion Nicki Pedersen.

Pedersen is recovering from the burns he suffered during a crash in the World Cup.

Friday’s practice is compulsory and Iversen could not get there on time if he rode at Swindon.

The Reading and Cradley quartets are the hardest hit. Charlie Gjedde and Adam Shields are injured, while Lee Richardson and Davey Watt are in Polish League action, which takes precedence.

Paul Fry has also withdrawn after his Elite League club, Poole, called him up for a meeting at Ipswich.

Swindon co-owner and meeting organiser Gary Patchett said: “It was our intention to stage the meeting, not only at an Elite League level, but with as much past connection to the respective teams taking part.

“The riders had to have as much relevance to the teams they were due to represent, otherwise the interest would be severely diminished. Clearly, there were not replacements available to maintain the same links.

“I sincerely regret having to postpone it.”