Seemond Stephens rides in his first home match for Eagles since 1999 against Oxford.

The highly-rated Stephens has been out on loan since previously failing to make the grade at the top level for Eastbourne.

Now he is back in what boss Jon Cook describes as "a significant move."

Eagles have effectively re-signed Stephens, who currently rides for Exeter in the Premier League, as part of their squad for the British League Cup.

Cook said: "We are taking the new cup extremely seriously and Seemond will play an important part in that campaign."

More immediately, Stephens fills the gap left by Peter Ljung.

He failed to score in the 48-42 defeat at Coventry on Wednesday, but that was a tough return for Stephens, who will be hoping for better things at Arlington.

The new squad system is making for some interesting diversions.

For next Monday's visit to Belle Vue, Eagles plan to bring in both Garry Stead and Simon Stead for their first league appearances.

Garry Stead has performed well in the past for Eastbourne as a guest and rode with skipper Joe Screen and Mark Loram in the heady days at Bradford.

Simon Stead, who is unrelated, is the reigning British under-21 champion.

Cook said: "Garry always gives 100 per cent effort and Simon is a star for the future. We are pleased to have them on board."

Garry Stead scored five points for Eagles in last week's cup-tie at Reading. He is currently riding in the Premier League for Hull, while Simon Stead is with Workington.

Adam Shields misses the Belle Vue match because he will be riding for the Isle of Wight.

Not everyone is as sold on the British League Cup as Cook.

While Eagles see the new competition as another trophy to be won, Peterborough have tried to pull out of riding in it altogether.

Team manager Jim Lynch said: "We tried to withdraw on the basis that the competition we are riding in bears no resemblance to the one that we entered.

"It's unacceptable for teams such as ourselves to have to track four regular riders and three juniors."