Paddy DavittKing's Lynn's former treble winner Chris Mills is confident he can help drag the champions out of their mid-season dip ahead of tomorrow's Premier League derby against Rye House.Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn's former treble winner Chris Mills is confident he can help drag the champions out of their mid-season dip ahead of tomorrow's Premier League derby against Rye House.

Mills will replace Linus Eklof for the rest of the campaign after the Swede quit the club last week citing personal issues following his no shows for the Premier Trophy semi-final aggregate defeat to Newcastle. Popular racer Mills failed to land a Premier League berth this season following spells at Reading and Sheffield since helping Lynn lift a treble in 2007.

The Essex-born rider notched paid nine for Bournemouth on a recent National League visit and insists he can score heavily from reserve alongside Darren Mallett.

'The year we won the treble was a really special time for me and probably my most enjoyable season in British speedway,' said Mills. 'I have missed being at the club and still have lots of friends and sponsors from the King's Lynn area so I can't wait to come back. I am sure I can do a brilliant job, especially at reserve.'

Stars' team boss Rob Lyon has not ruled out a return next season for the talented Eklof who was also recently dropped from Peterborough's Elite League squad after failing to re-capture his 2009 Saddlebow form.

'Linus will not be returning to the UK this season as he has a few issues to sort out,' said Lyon. 'There's a possibility he could ride for us in the future, but it certainly won't be this season. It's a blow as the boy has got a lot of natural ability.'

Lynn will employ the rider replacement facility against Rye House after Casper Wortmann was injured racing in Denmark but Joe Haines returns after failing to qualify for the World U21 final over the weekend.

'Hopefully the injury isn't too serious but it looks like we will be running rider replacement in the team once again,' said Lyon. 'Chris Mills comes in to the team at reserve with Casper moving into the main body. It is not going to be an easy match as Rye House rode extremely well here earlier in the season but I will do my hardest to motivate the team because if we can get going again I believe we can challenge for the league.'

Lynn had recruited Newport's Alex Davies to deputise for Wortmann at Glasgow on Sunday with Andrew Tully poised to step in for Eklof before another rain off prior to the opening heat frustrated the champions. Rye House track new signing Robbie Kessler. The Rockets will be spearheaded by Jordan Frampton who pocketed an impressive paid 17 on Rye House's early season Premier Trophy visit to Saddlebow.

Admission prices: Adults �13, concessions �10, juniors (aged 12 to 15) �5 and free entry for children aged 11 and under.

Read Kozza Smith's exclusive column only edp24.co.uk/sport

Stars: 1 Kevin Doolan, 2 r/r, 3 Kozza Smith, 4 Joe Haines, 5 Tomas Topinka, 6 Chris Mills, 7 Darren Mallett.

Rockets: 1 Jordan Frampton, 2 r/r, 3 Robbie Kessler, 4 Stefen Ekberg, 5 Chris Neath, 6 Lee Strudwick, 7 Kyle Hughes.