Pietraszko back at the weekend.

Kirkland Carpets' Berwick Bandits were delighted to receive the news yesterday (Monday) that their Polish star, Adam Pietraszko has been given the all-clear to race once more after his unexpected bout of appendicitis.

He was operated on a few weeks ago, and told to rest, but now that ban is lifted Pietraszko is on his way back to Berwick from his Polish home eager to please and eager to race once again.

"Adam gets back into Berwick midweek," Informed Promoter Peter Waite, "and says he is feeling better than ever after his operation. Having missed 2 meetings already, Adam is probably even more keen than the lads who have been racing to get back to big points scoring and that should make Newcastle shiver in their boots this Saturday night."

"I have taken a very keen interest in Newcastle's fantastic start and their individual results, but I think Saturday night will be their coming back to reality. It will be a very tough match, and our lads know they are up against the strongest opposition of the year so far, but particularly with Adam back, I think we should shade it our way."

Berwick will also be focusing in on the health of their injured German, Joachim Kugelmann who took a hard bang to his back on opening night 2 weeks ago. He had hoped to be racing last week, but it became apparent on Friday he was not fit, hence his late fitness test again this week.

Kugelmann is desperately keen to make his return when Newcastle Diamonds come a calling this Saturday night at 7.00pm, but will bow to medical expertise. All being well, we should all know his fate by Thursday at the latest.

Saturday night's visitors are the Diamonds from Newcastle, who have had a massive start to the 2005 season, beating Stoke 111-73 on aggregate last weekend in a challenge event after a terrible 2004 which saw them finish bottom in every completion bar the individual Premier League Riders' Championship when Jason Lyons scored 3.

This year they have 5 new starter to their line up, and it seems to be working so far. They are led by Welshman, Phil Morris who had been with the Reading for all but one of the last 14 years. His style is hard-hitting and forceful and never gives up which is the precise quality needed at Berwick these days. One other thing needed is insider information, and in Claus Kristensen and Josef Franc they have the best, with 8 years of being a Bandit between them. Another former Bandit, albeit for only part of a season, is Scotsman, James Grieves, who also has put some fine laps of Shielfield Park in over the years.

These are joined by Australian Christian Henry, Czech Lubos Tomicek and Berwick-born, and 2005 recipient of the Young Sports Star North East at the Sport-Newcastle dinner on Monday night, an 18 year old with a massive future, Jamie Robertson.