IPSWICH Evening Star Witches are set to confirm the signing of 37-year-old local rider Carl Baldwin as their number seven for the 2002 season.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches are set to confirm the signing of 37-year-old local rider Carl Baldwin as their number seven for the 2002 season.

Baldwin was signed by the club last summer and stood in on three occasions in 2001.

He had a distinguished career in the former National League before injury caused him to hang up his leathers 14 years ago.

He has now got his fitness, and appetite back, and has two engines being tuned by Scott Nicholls' father Tommy. His inclusion will make it an experienced Ipswich side with three riders over 30 and Jeremy Doncaster 40.

Baldwin will come into the side with a three-point average and ride at reserve with Leigh Lanham. He has the capacity to do well if he can rediscover the form he showed as a youngster and is a better bet to increase his average than a raw youngster moving up from a second string position in a Premier League outfit.

There is no guarantee that one of the youngsters Ipswich have considered would be able to adjust to the pace of the toughest league in the world – and if so it would take some considerable time.

Baldwin is expected to be confirmed an Ipswich rider this weekend, and will come into the side for a trial period. He will be given every chance, but if it doesn't work out Ipswich will look elsewhere to complete the season.

The Ipswich team, for a season that begins with a the Billy Sanders testimonial meeting on Saturday March 16, will be: Chris Louis, Scott Nicholls, Craig Boyce, Jeremy Doncaster, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Leigh Lanham and Carl Baldwin.