Nothing less than a win will do, according to manager Pete Simmons, as the Ipswich Witches prepare to travel to Rye House in a crucial Premier League clash tomorrow night (6pm).

The Witches are clinging on to the league’s sixth and final play-off spot but defeat against the Rockets would see their hosts overtake the Suffolk outfit and see Simmons’ team lose even more ground on the top five.

The Witches, who then face a crucial Premier League double-header against Edinburgh next Thursday and Friday, go into the meeting without Dakota North, who is riding for Australia at the under-21 World Cup, while Cameron Heeps is likely to be out for a few more weeks yet, following the injury he sustained in the 53-40 victory over Plymouth earlier this month.

That means another guest appearance for Mildenhall Fen Tigers’ star Stefan Nielsen, as a guest rider, and the use of the rider replacement system once again.

Ipswich lost the corresponding fixture at Foxhall by two points earlier in the season so a revenge victory at this stage of the season would be the perfect tonic.

“It has got to be a win against Rye House, nothing less than that will do,” said Simmons.

“We are clinging on to sixth place in the league and everyone above us is closing in on each other but we can’t afford to let them pull away from us any further.

“Rye House have got a few injuries and if their number one rider Charlie Gjedde is missing, they will be able to bring in a decent guest.

“It is definitely the most pivotal week of the season for us, starting at Rye House and finishing at Edinburgh.

“We have not managed to ride against Edinburgh yet this season so now we have got to try and get two wins against them, and then also try and get the better of them in the Knockout Cup later in the year.”