Wolves Speedway promoter Chris Van Straaten is excited for the opportunity to kickstart the season against league favourites Sheffield Tigers.

Wolverhampton in action against local rivals Birmingham Brummies. (Credit: Steve Feeney)

Parrys International Wolves are set to take on SGB Premiership opponents Sheffield in the newly-formed League Cup ahead of the regular season. 

The competition sees Wolves take on both Sheffield and Belle Vue in a three-team group, with first overall progressing to the final over two legs.

Van Straaten has outlined the need for his side to be at their best if they are to get off to winning ways.

He said: “Everybody’s favourite for the league this year is Sheffield, they again are very, very powerful. 

“They’ve already set the marker by winning at Belle Vue last Monday so their tails will be up, they’ll be full of confidence so we will have to be on our finest form to repel the Tigers challenge but I’m all for that, I think the attraction of sport is if there’s a little bit of uncertainty in the result.”

The upcoming meeting at Monmore Green follows an impressive 56-34 victory against Birmingham Brummies in a challenge match.

Newly-appointed captain Sam Masters topped the charts with 11 points, with the club promoter hopeful there is more to come from the Australian rider. 

Van Straaten added: “He’s part of the furnishing, Sam. He’s been with us some time now, he was the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy and we do tend to do this at Monmore Green, it’s the way I operate.

“I think Sam had an outstanding year. He was the third best rider in the whole league which is great. He seems to keep getting better as he’s maturing which is probably quite unusual but as he’s getting older, he’s getting even better. I think there’s even more to come from Sam this current season and we will be delighted to watch it.”

Masters will lead his side into tonight’s clash against Sheffield Tigers, with tapes up at 7:30pm.

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