King's Lynn Stars last night announced they had completed the signing of Ulrich Ostergaard – days after releasing veteran Joe Screen.

The 31-year-old Dane replaces the popular Screen at reserve as the Stars management shuffle their pack to prepare for an Elite League play-off push in the second half of the season.

Norfolk Arena chief, Keith 'Buster' Chapman said: 'We would like to thank Joe for all his help but with eight home matches left we fell that this move makes us stronger at reserve.

'Ulrich has a good record around King's Lynn and enjoys riding here very much.'

Ostergaard, Redcar Bears' number one, has recently returned to Premier League action after breaking a shoulder blade in a meeting at Sheffield. He first appeared in English speedway in 2003 with Eastbourne and doubled up with them, and Premier League Isle of Wight, for the next couple of years.

In 2006, the Dane rode for Peterborough and was part of the side that clinched the Elite League title. He has since ridden for Birmingham, Reading - where he picked up the Premier League Rider of the Year crown in 2008 after an outstanding season saw him gain a 10.29 average - and Belle Vue.

Ostergaard joins fellow Danes Mads Korneliussen and Niels-Kristian Iversen, who won his third Speedway World Cup with Denmark on Saturday, at Saddlebow Road and is set to make his Stars debut against Eastbourne on Wednesday. He will ride at number six, the slot which has been vacated by the injured David Howe and released 39-year-old Screen.

He posted a picture of his Lynn race jacket and said it was for sale before telling Swindon team manager Alun Rossiter he had been released. Screen told Rossiter: 'I do understand why bloke and wish @KingsLynnStars all the best and thanks for the few meetings I rode.'

Screen, who doubled-up for Lynn while riding for Glasgow, rode three times for the Stars, scoring 16 points.

n Mildenhall Fen Tigers returned to the top of the National League with a crushing 63-30 victory over the Isle of Wight Islanders at West Row yesterday.

Aside from visiting skipper Danny Warwick and former Fen Tiger Aaron Baseby, the Islanders offered little resistance, their only heat advantage coming when Baseby finished second on a double points ride and was followed home by teammate Paul Starke.

Although the Fen Tigers took a while to get into their stride, led by maximum man Cameron Heeps and in form Stefan Nielsen, the result was never in doubt.

All of the Mildenhall team also got among the points, with youngsters Josh Bates and Joe Graver both playing their part. There was also a successful return from injury for Joe Jacobs, who overcame early mechanical gremlins to finish with a paid 10 points.