Nigel Pearson's Track Talk: Heathens hope Ayres can rock the Brummies

Ayres was a big hit with Heathens fans during his spell with the club last season and has now agreed to stand in for broken shoulder victim Adam Roynon.

Both the Motor Market Heathens and Birmingham are fancied to top the National Trophy group and Monday could go a long way to deciding who wins through.

Boss Will Pottinger said: “We looked at our options for Monday and we’ve plumped for Danny, he’s the man for the big occasion!

“He understands the rivalry with Birmingham and he understands what it means to our fans. A win on Monday would really give us the upper hand but we know what a top team Birmingham are.

“He said yes straight away when we asked him to do the meeting and I think he feels there is still a bit of unfinished business with Cradley.

“We underachieved last season but we’re all enjoying the current season and we can’t wait for a massive meeting on Monday.”

Heathens will still have teenage whizzkid Drew Kemp at reserve, which means he can take up to seven rides.

“We are fortunate with that,” said Pottinger.

“To have Drew at reserve is a real bonus because to be honest I thought he would be in the main body of the team right now, but his new average doesn’t come into effect yet.

“Hopefully we’ll see a big crowd and we can put one over the Brummies.

“Either way I’m expecting a great meeting.”

Freddie Lindgren will be putting the expertise gained on racing on tight tracks for Wolverhampton to good use when he looks to extend his lead in the Speedway Grand Prix in Horsens, Denmark this evening.

Fast Freddie is a point ahead of former team-mate Tai Woffinden in the charge for the championship – on one of the tighest tracks on the speedway GP circuit.

Lindgren’s 14 years racing for Wolves have prepared him well for racing on shorter, more technical tracks and he is hopeful tonight’s fixture can play into his hands.

He said: “I’ve been there a few times now and we feel we know what to expect track-wise.

“We also need to be open if something changes with the surface.

“But I come here with a positive mindset and I feel very good.

“Horsens does create some different racing lines and when you have a track that’s open coming in and out of the turns, you can create some really good racing.

“I think these temporary tracks are a little bit smaller and more technical.

“I do have some help after riding in Britain for a lot of years.

“You need to have good control of your bike to be successful on these tracks.

“And I think I’m one of the most technical riders in the world.”