David Ruud will finally have the opportunity of making his home debut for Arena-Essex when he takes his place in their line-up tonight when they take on Newcastle in the first leg of the Knockout Quarter Final tie.

The second leg has been arranged for Monday, July 28, following the postponement of the original fixture in Newcastle last Sunday.

Ruud was signed prior to the start of the season as a rider who would "double down" with Joonas Kylmakorpi, but until now the 23 year-old Swede has been unable to pull on a Hammers racejacket.

But now he is able to make his bow at the Purfleet Raceway having been scheduled to make his debut at Swindon last night.

Another rider who will be appearing in the Hammers colours for both the meeting at Swindon and tonight's match will be Joel Parsons, who will come in as a Conference League guest for the wrist injury victim Andy Galvin.

Published Friday, June 27, 2003

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