Rebels target bonus.

The Somerset 'Mike Manning Audio' Rebels will be looking to put last week's disappointing home defeat at the hands of King's Lynn behind them as they turn their attention to the visit of the Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters to the Oak Tree Arena this Friday (22nd).

The Rebels will be hoping for better luck than that which befell them last week as they seek to over turn the 6 point deficit from the encounter at Stoke's Loomer Road circuit earlier in the season to claim the all important bonus point as well as the match victory.

Stoke were tipped by many to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season in the shake-up for honours, but have suffered badly by way of injuries, in particular to their top two of Paul Pickering and Jan Staechmann, both of whom have been ruled out for the 2005 campaign, which has disrupted their season thus far.

Like the Somerset 'Mike Manning Audio' Rebels, the Potters have had an inconsistent season so far, which has seen them suffer some home defeats, the Rebels running them close to only go down 48-42 when the teams met at Loomer Road in the first leg of this Premier League match.

Riding at number 1 for Stoke is Peter Carr (7.94), who was signed by Stoke as replacement for injury victim, Paul Pickering. Carr was somewhat surprising left 'on the shelf' come the start of the 2005 season when his long association with Edinburgh came to an end. The Potters, however, saw that he was just the sort of experienced rider they needed to replace Pickering, and the 'B-52', as Carr is affectionately known, has grasped the opportunity with both hands. Carr forms one half a potent spearhead at the top of the Potters line up, the other half being German international, Robbie Kessler (7.82). Now in his 3rd season with Stoke, Kessler's progress with the club has been hampered by a series on injuries. Now fully recovered, he is returning to his best form. A twice winner of the German under 21 title, Kessler has, surprisingly, never won his full National Championship.

Midlander, Paul Clews (5.30), fills the number 3 berth for the Potters, a case of returning to his roots as Clews first took to the speedway track as an 8 year old at one of Stoke's training sessions. Clews was a long time member of the Reading Racers, before moving to Stoke in 2004. Can be inconsistent, and the Oak Tree Arena has never been a happy hunting ground for him. This, however, is balance by the fact riding at number 4 is the vastly experienced Alan Mogridge (7.76). In a career that started out in 1981 with his then home town team, Wimbledon, 'Moggo' has graced many a track in the intervening years, and is rewarded with a much deserved Testimonial at Loomer Road the night following the Potter's clash with the Rebels.

In the absence of their inspirational Dane, Jan Staechmann, Stoke have turned to Rye House's Stuart Robson as guest for the evening. Robson has been in great demand as a guest rider this season for various teams to cover for injuries.

Two youngsters in the shape of Barrie Evans (4.47), who lifted the British under 21 Championship in 2003, and Jack Hargreaves (3.00), fill the reserve berths. Evans' potential was seen by the Potters promotion when they took him on a full transfer from his then parent club, Rye House. Hargreaves first rode as a member of the Wolverhampton Conference team in 2003, but when they decide against running again the following year, he moved on to Stoke Spitfires, and his progress has been rewarded with a term berth in place of the out of form Rob Grant.

Rebels Team Manager, Mick Bell, will be waiting on last minute fitness reports on Paul Fry (concussion) and reserve Jason King (back) before naming his line up. Should either not be fit enough to take their place in the team, Somerset will operate Rider Replacement for Fry and can call upon a guest for King.