Luke Becker ruled out of Wolves' season opener with broken leg

The American crashed during an open meeting in Slovakia on Sunday - and X-Rays have confirmed a broken fibula just above the ankle.

Becker will spend at least three weeks in a cast before travelling to Poland for specialist advice.

Everyone at Wolverhampton would like to send our best wishes to Luke and wish him a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, seven-times British Champion Scott Nicholls, who finished third in Sam Masters’ Testimonial at Monmore Green last weekend, will step in as a guest replacement for tonight’s fixture against the Stars.

Elsewhere, 38-year-old Rory Schlein made a surprise return to the sport during the winter - having initially retired in 2021 and moving back to Australia.

The Wolves are completed by Aussie compatriot Zach Cook, the only brand new face in the team, having impressed club bosses in the second tier with Poole in 2022.

Monday’s visitors include former World No.2 and World Cup winner Krzysztof Kasprzak alongside Dane Nicolai Klindt who won the Elite League with Wolverhampton in 2009.

This year’s Premiership consists of seven sides -and team boss Peter Adams is expecting a competitive campaign all-round.

“I think the league will be closer overall this time around,” he said.

“We’re confident of finishing in the top four and as the old adage goes, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that matters in this game. The riders we select have got to be capable of delivering what we’re looking for; but for me, this year’s team virtually picked itself.

“We breezed into the play-offs last year – there was a long way between us and fifth place.

“And the five returning riders from last year’s team are all back at Monmore on merit.

“In this year’s team, we’ve got five potential heat-leaders and two strong reserves so we’re more than happy with how we’re looking at the start of the season.”

Admission is £21 adults, £19 concessions, £6 juniors aged 13-18, £1 children aged seven-12 while under-sevens are free.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Sam Masters, Steve Worrall, Rory Schlein, Ryan Douglas, Scott Nicholls, Zach Cook, Leon Flint.

KING’S LYNN: Nicolai Klindt, Thomas Jorgensen, Josh Pickering, Michael Palm Toft, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Frederik Jakobsen, Jason Edwards.