Hammers face Crump instead of Pedersen.

The SkyBet Elite Speedway League match between the Arena-Essex Husqvarna Hammers and the Eastbourne Eagles due to take place at the Arena-Essex Raceway tomorrow evening (Wednesday 7th September) has taken on extra significance as the Eagles are desperate to gain the win to assist them in their goal of reaching the play-off's. They have announced that they have booked in the 2004 World Champion, Jason Crump, as a guest for this vital match to replace their injured 2003 World Champion, Nicki Pedersen.

Australian Jason Crump has, so far, appeared at the Arena-Essex Raceway on three occasions in 2005 - twice for his club, the Belle Vue Aces, and once as a guest for Arena-Essex against Eastbourne. In these three matches, encompassing 15 races, he has only been beaten once by a Husqvarna Hammers rider, and that was by Gary Havelock in heat 13 of the Belle Vue "A" fixture, which took place back in May.

The top four in the League progress into the play-off's and with two matches to go the Eagles are in 5th place just one point behind the reigning Champions, Poole. Eastbourne will visit 2nd place side, Coventry, on Thursday in addition to their visit to Essex on Wednesday whereas Poole have a home match against Ipswich on Wednesday and will then finish their League campaign away to Swindon on Thursday. A win for the Eagles at the Arena-Essex Raceway tomorrow is, therefore, a must if they are to have any chance of claiming that vital 4th place in the League.

The Husqvarna Hammers are expected to be at full strength for this important match and will be determined to gain the home victory in advance of the two sides meeting again at the Arena-Essex Raceway in a fortnight's time in the Knockout Cup Semi Final.

The other two injured Eastbourne riders, David Norris and Dean Barker, are both expected to take their places in the Eastbourne side for what could be the most important match of the season for the Eagles.

A large contingent of travelling supporters from the Sussex coast is expected and the Husqvarna Hammers Promoter, Ronnie Russell, has asked all Hammers fans to turn up in force tomorrow night to cheer on the home side as they attempt to claim an important victory.