The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Oxford to face the Spires in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture tonight (7.30pm).

The Witches recorded a 50-40 win over reigning champions Sheffield at Foxhall on Monday night to go four points clear at the top of the table.

They will be operating rider replacement at number one for the injured Jason Doyle tonight, whilst Norick Blödorn comes in for the injured Danny King.

Blödorn raced to an impressive 12+1 on his last guest appearance for the Witches away at Birmingham. The management continue to work on a replacement for Doyle, who is out for the season, whilst skipper King is edging closer to a return.

Ipswich won on their previous visit to the Oxford Stadium, picking up a 48-42 victory back in April, but the Spires, who have made a solid return to the top flight for the first time since 2007, have won their other five home meetings - all of which have been tight.

Rohan Tungate has moved to the number one position, with former Grand Prix rider Maciej Janowski moving to number four. Recent Ipswich guest Chris Harris captains Oxford and Lewis Kerr is now at number three having returned from injury.

Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “We are expecting a really tough test. When you look at them on paper, they are a really good team.

"We won there earlier in the year, and we were very good that night, so we will need a similar performance from everybody.

"We will have rider replacement for Jason at one, so that means we can’t be carrying any passengers, and Norick is coming in for Danny. After his performance at Birmingham, I’m sure everyone is delighted to see him in an Ipswich race jacket again. He will be very happy to come in and we look forward to having him.

“Danny is hoping to get back on the bike again later this week. After his practice last Thursday, he needed another week off, but we hope he will be back for our next home match next Thursday.

“I have heard a lot of rumours, talk and questions about who is coming in for Jason. At this current time, we have no progress to report, and we will be carrying on with guests and R/R for the time being. We will continue working on it as we would prefer to have a full one to seven if possible.”

OXFORD: 1. Rohan Tungate 7.38 2. Charles Wright 6.36 3. Lewis Kerr 5.26 4. Maciej Janowski 5.18 5. Chris Harris 6.64 © 6. Erik Riss 4.74 7. Ashton Boughen (RS). Team Manager: Peter Schroeck

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Adam Ellis 5.95 4. Norick Blödorn (G) 7.50 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.24 © 6. Keynan Rew 4.15 7. Jordan Jenkins 4.00. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Turnbull