WEYMOUTH Wildcats co-promoter Martin Peters is pessimistic of his side’s chances ahead of their Midland & Southern Development League encounter at Birmingham tonight.

The Bulls’ fixtures had been scheduled to be the first time two female riders would compete against each other in league action, but with Rachel Hellowell now unavailable due to work commitments it will not happen this season.

Hellowell was not in the Bulls’ squad that beat the Wildcats 23-13 in the reverse fixture.

When asked if he thinks his side can go there and get a result, Peters replied: “I would have said no we are going to get hammered, to be honest, because they have got some strong riders, they have got three National Development League riders compared to our none.

“The only other rider who is not a National League rider for them is Bailey (Fellows, an ex-Wildcat) so it is going to be really tough.

“But now I think Sheldon Bailey has said he is taking a rest from speedway, so they have got to find another rider to ride number one for them. It might sort of make it less of a hammering, I don’t know who they are going to use.”

The Wildcats have also been beset by injuries, with Jacob Clouting recently involved in a crash, as well as James Jessop who is now out for the rest of the season with a broken hand.

“We have got a few injuries now, I think Jacob (Clouting) was involved in a crash (on Monday) riding for Kent, and he feels a bit battered and bruised I think.

“He is going to be riding for us next week at Poole, so it will be good for him to come back with no pressure and get back to normal again.

“James Jessop had a crash the other day at Mildenhall so he is out for the rest of the season with a broken hand.”

Weymouth name James Laker, Sam Peters, Cesca Kirtley-Paine and Stephen Whitehouse in their team, the latter a replacement for the injured Jessop.