Lewis Kerr, in for Witches v Berwick on Thursday

Berwick Bandits travel to Ipswich Witches on Thursday to face a club who have not been in competitive action since May 12.

Then, an injury-hit side lost at Shielfield Park, Berwick, and the home side will be looking to make amends on home shale to get back on track in the league.

The break has been much-needed for Ritchie Hawkins and his Ipswich side, giving the injured riders time to recover.

Nico Covatti makes his return at No 4 having missed the last month with broken ribs he sustained in a crash at Foxhall against Lakeside in the Championship Shield.

Captain Danny King misses out again as he continues his recovery from an arm injury. King rode in last week’s British semi-final at Leicester and qualified for the final but did not take his last ride.

He has not ridden since as he nurses the injury and Glasgow Tigers star Lewis Kerr guests.

Kerr guested for Witches earlier this season where he recorded a paid maximum.

Berwick have enjoyed an encouraging start to the season with three wins from three meetings in the Championship lifting them to second place in the table.

Those meetings have all been at Shielfield Park and Thursday’s trip to Foxhall will be their first on the road in the league.

Bandits endured a miserable 2017 finishing bottom of the table and were unfancied by many this year to compete at the top, but the early signs are positive as they look to prove the critics wrong.

There is a return to Foxhall for Nathan Greaves who was so popular on the terraces last season as he guests for the unwell John Lindman at reserve for the visitors.

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