GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs travel to Belle Vue tonight for their final away clash of the speedway season - but under protest.

And they must undertake probably their most important meeting of the season without influential No 1 Jason Crump, who was the star of the great victory at Poole on Wednesday.

So far, this season, Premier clubs have not been in action on a Grand Prix night for obvious reasons, so that their best riders are on duty.

But now, Oxford have been ordered by the BSPA to fulfil tonight's Elite League clash.

Only a victory will do for Cheetahs as they stand three points behind rivals Swindon in a bid for the final play-off place.

They have a meeting in hand, but with the Aces to contend with tonight and then champions Ipswich at Sandy Lane on Wednesday, the odds are heavily against Oxford.

Team manager Martin Goodwin brings in Mark Lemon for Crump. He will give his all but, with due respect, is no replacement for one of the world's top riders.

Jan Staechmann came through well after his wrist injury at Poole and rides at No 6.

The Aces have yet to taste defeat in 15 meetings at Kirky Lane and the size of Cheetahs task is enormous.

Belle Vue: Screen, Klingberg, Correy, Lyons, Wilson, Tesar.

Oxford: Crump, Johnston, Wiltshire, Hurry, Schofield, Staechmann.

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