COVENTRY resume their National League campaign with a long trip down the M5 to visit Plymouth today (Friday, 7.15pm).
The Europress Bees are currently second in the table but still await their first win on the road in the league, having lost out at Belle Vue and the Isle of Wight so far.
They face a Devils side who have had mixed fortunes at home this season with Trophy defeats to Eastbourne and Mildenhall, whilst they edged out Belle Vue 46-44 in their league opener at the St Boniface Arena.
There has also been a re-shuffle in the Plymouth team with James Cockle, who recently served a 28-day suspension for a breach of social media regulations, now out of the side completely.
Cockle has been replaced by Ben Hopwood, who requested a transfer from the Isle of Wight earlier this week citing a change of work circumstances causing travel difficulties, and has now joined Plymouth.
But the Devils will be without former Coventry rider Adam Roynon at No.1, as he unfortunately suffered a broken arm and shoulder damage in a crash on the Island on Tuesday.
Roynon’s place will be taken by Birmingham’s Danyon Hume as a guest, whilst there is still one ex-Coventry man in the Devils’ line-up with Ryan Terry-Daley included at No.2.
For the Bees, Luke Ruddick returns refreshed after nearly a fortnight on the sidelines with a shoulder injury after a crash at Eastbourne, but rider-replacement is in operation for Danny Phillips who is racing in the Championship for Scunthorpe.
In-form reserve Jamie Halder has picked up paid double-figures in his last three appearances, and he feels Bees should be targeting the match as an opportunity for points.
He said: “I’m getting a fair few extra rides being at reserve at the minute and it’s helping my get some extra experience and it’s also building my confidence as well.
“We’ve had some really good wins as a team – but we’ve also had some defeats that we’ve been disappointed with.
“We’ve had a few injuries though which haven’t always helped, but there’s still a long way to go.
“These next two meetings are ones we’re confident about and we’re hoping to get a couple more wins.”
Following the trip to Plymouth, Bees host Buxton in the National Trophy at Leicester on Sunday (3pm).
