Speedway: Edinburgh Monarchs look to Wolbert as secret weapon against Tigers

The German star blew an engine and also crashed twice during the Open – an event he had been touted to win.

And Wolbert confessed: "I didn't feel too good at the weekend, but I'm feeling much better now, and ready to go."

Wolbert's fellow countryman Max Dilger also came to grief when he was brought down by former Monarch Michal Rajkowski but despite sustaining a slight rib injury Dilger turned out for his Polish side Opole on Tuesday and picked up five points.

Teammate Kalle Katajisto struggled to make any impact either and was plagued by machine problems, but has promised: "My dad Timo has been busy working on my bikes this week to ensure it won't happen again."

Monarchs certainly don't want any more hiccups as they attempt to wrest the Spring Trophy back from the Tigers who host the deciding leg at Ashfield tomorrow afternoon.

Incredibly Monarchs have won 14 out of the last 16 meetings against their biggest rivals who parted company with long time skipper Shane Parker during the winter, the Aussie opting for a move to Somerset Rebels.

But in a bold swoop the Tigers drafted in Travis McGowan as his replacement and are optimistic he will fill Parker's riding boots with some distinction. McGowan forms a strong spearhead with James Grieves but Tigers fortunes will depend on how much progress the rest of their squad makes.

Despite a gloomy prediction among pundits that they will finish with the wooden spoon this season, the Tigers pulled off a surprise 48-45 challenge win against Elite League Coventry Bees six days ago.

However team manager Stewart Dickson is refusing to get carried away. He said: "I was delighted by the way we rode against Coventry.

"But it is only one match and I don't want any of us to think we have achieved anything.

"There was a lot to be encouraged about against Coventry, but our Spring Trophy clashes against Edinburgh will be severe tests given that Monarchs are many people's favourites to win the league again."

Dickson went on: "Over the two legs we have to be competitive especially this evening.

"Over the last couple of seasons Monarchs have held the upper hand against us.

"And although we managed to close the gap last year we still have much more to do. The Spring Trophy contests will be a good gauge as to how well we are going."

Monarchs boss John Campbell thinks Glasgow have questions to answer and says: "They are relying on Robert Ksiezak and Mitchell Davey to increase their averages, probably quite significantly, when their recent record hasn't shown they can do that."

And despite McGowan toiling in the Scottish Open, Campbell thinks the Aussie poses a big threat.

"I don't know what Travis's problem was last Friday, if indeed he had a problem.

"But he'll do well for the Tigers this season and will keep them in it, especially at home. I expect him to be one of the dominant riders' in the Premier League."