BEES have called up Oliver Greenwood to replace the injured James Sarjeant for Friday’s re-arranged meeting with local rivals Birmingham at Brandon (7.30pm).
Sarjeant was taken to hospital after crashing heavily in Thursday’s 54-35 Elite League defeat at King’s Lynn.
He was left with nowhere to go in Heat 9 when home man Darren Mallett spun and fell right in front of him, and the resultant accident forced both riders to withdraw from the meeting.
It gives Greenwood, who is a regular with the club’s National League side Storm, a chance to come in at reserve alongside Jason Garrity as the Bees race their first home Elite League match in three weeks.
Further up the order, Peterborough’s Lewis Blackbird deputises for Kenneth Hansen who has a Danish League fixture but Bees have their top two in place with skipper Chris Harris delaying his departure for the Czech Republic Grand Prix in order to race.
Harris said: “It’s never ideal going into a GP without practice, but I’ve done it in the past and had good results so hopefully that can be an omen.
“As well as entertaining the crowd this is my living, it’s what I get paid to do and when I miss meetings for Coventry I don’t get paid for that.
“Coventry is close to my heart, I’ve been here for a long time now and the response I’ve had from the fans has been overwhelming really so I’m pleased with that.”
Birmingham are bottom of the table but have improved of late, taking a point from a recent away match at Poole and then all three at home to Eastbourne to gain ground on the other clubs.
Bees promoter, Mick Horton, added: “League tables can fool people because on paper Birmingham have got a good side and they showed what they are capable of at Poole.
“But we have a new track man in place and the team are going to be fired up to come away with three points.
“It’s a big local derby and the boys know what’s got to be done, so hopefully they’ll get plenty of support and a good result.”
