Former world champion Gary Havelock has sounded a warning to King's Lynn Stars as Redcar Bears prepare for tonight's (7.30pm) Premier League play-off second leg at the Norfolk Arena.

Former world champion Gary Havelock has sounded a warning to King's Lynn Stars as Redcar Bears prepare for tonight's (7.30pm) Premier League play-off second leg at the Norfolk Arena.

Stars hold a 47-43 lead from the first leg, but Bears skipper Havelock said: “While they are obviously the favourites, they are still there to fall.

“When we visited Saddlebow Road back in May it was one of our first meetings of the season and it was a disaster. We hadn't had much track time,plus we lost Kevin Little.

“Since then we have grown as a team on and off the track and we definitely don't fear anyone. We have no need to after finishing high up the league table when the experts had predicted that we'd finish at the bottom.

“We have sprung a few surprises on some highly rated teams so far and we will give it our best shot at Lynn.

“I love their track and leading the team from the front would be a great inspiration for my teammates.

“I know Matt Tressarieu is also looking forward to it. His riding style and previous results at Lynn would suggest he'll be able to rack up a few points too.

“Chris Kerr was quite impressive on his last visit and since then he has improved a lot, so we should be seeing a few race wins from him.

“Overall, Lynn shouldn't be scared of us, but they would be foolish to take us for granted.”

Lynn team manager Rob Lyon said: “We are on the verge of being the most successful King's Lynn team ever and my job over the closing weeks of the season will be to keep the riders focused, because it would be easy to become over confident and believe that we have won everything already.

“Tonight is the play-off quarter-final and Redcar will not fall by the wayside like some of us might think. I truly believe we will see a great meeting.”

King's Lynn Stars: 1 Kevin Doolan, 2 Troy Batchelor, 3 revor Harding, 4 Daniel Nermark, 5 Tomas Topinka, 6 Chris Mills, 7 John Oliver.

Redcar Bears: 1 Gary Havelock, 2 Chris Kerr, 3 Kevin Little, 4 Matthew Tressarieu, 5 Tomas Suchanek, 6 Jack Hargreaves, 7 Daniel Giffard.

Tomas Topinka came fourth in the Premier League Riders Championship at Sheffield. He said: “Sheffield isn't one of my favourite tracks, but I am happy to have made the final for the second year running. It was a tough field, with the top rider from every club there. I'd like to thank all the fans that came to support me.”

Matthew Wethers has been sidelined by an injury, and will be replaced by 2005 Star Paul Lee in the Poultec Pride Of the East individual meeting next Wednesday.

Lee has been out for a year after injuring his arm in a crash while racing at Lynn, but, after a few practice sessions at the Norfolk Arena, he has declared himself fit and looking to find himself a team place for next year.

“This will be my first competitive meeting for over a year and I'm really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I feel comfortable on the bike, but I just hope my fitness level is high enough to sustain a whole meeting.

“If it is, I'm sure I'll be mixing it with the King's Lynn boys in every race.”