JT/FOX Oxford Cheetahs bounce back into Elite League action when they take on league leaders Poole Pirates at the Stadium tonight (7.30pm).

Boosted by their excellent Speedway Star KO Cup success against Eastbourne last weekend, they will be looking to let the Pirates know that they are also up for the title, despite their heavy defeat at Wolverhampton in their last league encounter.

However, they will have to a bit sharper at the start than they were against Eastbourne last Friday, as the Pirates are a solid all-round oufit.

Only the best from Cheetahs will do if they are to make inroads on the Poole lead. Brian Andersen will be missing for Oxford Cheetahs against Poole

They will have to do it, however, without the services of in-form Brian Andersen, who will be in Denmark for the Danish Riders Champ- ionship.

Team managers Colin Meredith and Richard Palmer will be using rider-replace- ment in his absence.

"It's going to be a tough one, and although we will miss Brian, we are riding well and will take them all the way," Meredith said.

The Pirates, too, have their problems with Gary Havelock absent after being taken ill at Wolverhampton on Monday where they used a guest.

As the former world champion's away average is only 5.53, they are forced to use Jason Lyons, of Belle Vue, as his replacement.

Hans Andersen is also missing as, like Brian Andersen, he is in the Danish Championships. They will use rider-replacement for him.

They will as well have three times world champion Tony Rickardsson and the new Polish sensation Kryzsztof Cegielski.

Cegielski has set the Elite League alight with his performances so far this season, more so when he was at reserve, but he is such a talent he has to be feared.

Oxford will be looking for the right result because they have another tough match when they travel to Coventry in the league tomorrow.

Oxford: rider-replacement, L Dryml, Wiltshire, Johnston, Adams, Appelton, A Dryml.

Poole: Lyons, rider-replacement, Cegielski, Gunnestad, Rickardsson, Walasek, Watson.