IPSWICH Evening Star Witches promoter John Louis admits he is in danger of losing Daniel King next season.And the Witches supremo has hit out at outside factions that might be influencing the 20-year-old.
By Elvin King
IPSWICH Evening Star Witches promoter John Louis admits he is in danger of losing Daniel King next season.
And the Witches supremo has hit out at outside factions that might be influencing the 20-year-old.
Louis said: “Of course we want Daniel back in 2007. He is a young talented British rider - and he is one of our assets. But I read there are other clubs interested, and some people don't care whose feet they stand on.”
Reports have linked one of England's hottest young prospects and World Under-21 finalist with Peterborough, Oxford and Coventry.
And King has made it plain that, although he intends to ride full-time in the Elite League, this does not mean he is committed to Ipswich.
On the team-building front, Louis says that there is still plenty of work to be done.
Mark Loram has already been confirmed and skipper and rider/manager Chris Louis will soon follow suit. Tobi Kroner is set to fill one of the reserve berths.
Louis has not ruled out a return of Piotr Protasiewicz, despite the Pole undermining his relationship with fans by appearing to lose interest in the final two months of the season for the second year running.
“Pepe rode fantastically for us in the first part of the season,” said Louis. “We could not tell him when our away Craven Shield dates were until we knew the draw and, by then, he had made other arrangements.”
It would still be a surprise to see the Poole asset back at Foxhall, with Ipswich having to cover their tracks in case their first choice one-to-seven does not materialise.
Joonas Kylmakorpi, who rode for the Witches in 2002, has been mentioned as a possible target, as he is expected to leave Arena-Essex, but Louis says that there is no substance to these rumours.
“Both Robert Miskowiak and Kim Jansson want to come back,” added Louis.
“They are good riders, although Robert has found it difficult to pass and Kim has suffered too many unforced falls.
“Robert showed in September that he has the ability to pass, although I realise he had 2007 in mind.
“And Kim, who also did very well for us most of the time, still has the inability to concentrate for 60 seconds sometimes.”
MORE from John Louis, including his thoughts on the tactical ride rule, in tonight's Evening Star
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