LAKESIDE Hammers return to action this Friday with the visit of local rivals, the Eastbourne Eagles, for a Sky Sports Elite League track clash.

This is the team’s only home meeting during the period of the World Cup and the meeting is a must-win for the Purfleet-based club who last raced at the Arena-Essex Raceway on June 4.

During this time of inactivity Hammers have seen their seven point lead over third-placed Wolverhampton in the League table reduce to just a single point.

The Hammers team boss Jon Cook said: “We aren’t concerned about our lack of match fitness as all the boys, with the exception of Paul Hurry, have been racing regularly elsewhere during our break, and Paul needed the extra weeks to recover fully from his hand injury.

“But I am extremely wary of the fact that Eastbourne were our last visitors on June 4 and finished the match strongly.

“It means we will carry little home track advantage into the meeting and will have to be on top form. It could, therefore, be a somewhat unexpected cracker of a match for the fans.”

The Hammers go into Friday’s meeting against the Eagles at full strength with three of the team, Jonas Davidsson, Kauko Nieminen and Lee Richardson, all having got through their first qualification rounds for the 2011 Grand Prix Series.

And reserve Stuart Robson put in a good performance at the recent British final where he eventually finished in sixth place ahead of some more fancied competitors.

As far as Eastbourne are concerned their Pole, Dawid Lampart, is not expected to be able to take his place in their side as he was injured last Thursday in the Eagles’ home match against Wolverhampton.

A collarbone injury was diagnosed resulting in him having to withdraw from the meeting.

The Pole’s place is likely to be taken by the Eagles’ number eight Chris Schramm.

The Eagles’ Australian captain, Cameron Woodward, also withdrew from that meeting following a bad crash, but he is expected to be fit enough to return to their side for Friday’s match.

They will be led by Slovenian International, Matej Zagar and Czech Republic rider Lukas Dryml, and joining them with be young Swedish rider Simon Gustafsson.

Completing the Eagles side will be two former Hammers, Ricky Kling and Joonas Kylmakorpi.

The latter is currently leading the World Longtrack Champion-ship having won the latest round.

The action gets underway at the Arena-Essex Raceway with the parade of riders at 7.50pm with the opening heat scheduled for 8pm.

Normal admission prices will apply although members of the Armed Forces and their families will be given free admission to this meeting on production of valid services ID as part of speedway’s support of Saturday’s Armed Forces Day.