IPSWICH Evening Star Witches team manager Mike Smillie is expecting his side to at least pick up the bonus point at Poole tonight.The Suffolk side travel south with a ten-point lead in the bag and come up against a Dorset team who are missing their second heat leader Krzysztof Kasprzak, who has been diagnosed with a fractured collarbone.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches team manager Mike Smillie is expecting his side to at least pick up the bonus point at Poole tonight.

The Suffolk side travel south with a ten-point lead in the bag and come up against a Dorset team who are missing their second heat leader Krzysztof Kasprzak, who has been diagnosed with a fractured collarbone.

He has been ordered to rest this week ahead of Saturday's Swedish Grand Prix, and Smillie is hoping it works to Ipswich's advantage.

“Poole are a good all-round side, but losing your second heat leader always puts pressure on you,” Smillie said.

“We must look for the bonus point at the very least because ten points is a decent cushion.

“If we were to go nine points behind we can bring in a tactical rider and the fact they are missing Kasprzak gives us more options.

“But we know it won't be easy even to get the bonus point. Poole are a good side, especially at home.”

The Witches will be buoyed by their efforts at Eastbourne on Saturday night where, with a depleted team, they pushed the Eagles all the way.

Tonight Robert Miskowiak returns to the Witches fold and Carl Wilkinson comes in at reserve, with Danny King still being rested by the Suffolk club.

Pepe Protastiewicz is a Poole asset even though he has never actually ridden for them. He will take over the No.1 race jacket at Foxhall in June when the new averages come out, something Smillie admitted he is happy about.

“Pepe has done well for us and if you remember when we signed him in 2005, he came as our No.1,” Smillie said.

“I think he is more than capable of maintaining his average from where it is now and I am sure Chris Louis will improve his as he moves away from the No.1 position.”

Meanwhile, Coventry are the visitors to Foxhall Stadium tomorrow night and if the Witches were to win by four points or more, they would also pick up the bonus point against the Bees.

Profitable times, points-wise are in the offing this week for the Witches - they must take their chances.

Tonight's teams

Poole: 1 Bjarne Pedersen, 2 Craig Boyce, 3 Greg Walasek, 4 Antonio Lindback, 5 rider replacement, 6 Jonas Davidsson, 7 Daniel Davidsson. Team manager: Neil Middleditch

Ipswich: 1 Chris Louis, 2 Kim Jansson, 3 Robert Miskowiak, 4 Pepe Protasiewicz, 5 Mark Loram, 6 Jan Jaros, 7 Carl Wilkinson.