Speedway Bonanza champion Peter Karlsson is back in Sussex tonight for the first time since he lifted the indoor title at the Brighton Centre last December.

Karlsson is one of the main threats as Eastbourne Eagles battle it out with Elite League rivals Wolves in the first match of the season at Arlington Stadium (7.30pm).

A big crowd is expected for the live Sky TV clash between the top two teams of last year and Karlsson insists the visitors are up to the task against an Eagles side bent on revenge.

Said Karlsson: "Everyone is going to be out to beat us, but that's fine by us. I'm sure we can handle it."

Wolves were crowned 2002 champions in controversial circumstances when they beat Eastbourne in the sport's first-ever play-offs, despite Eagles finishing four points above them in the league.

Mikael Karlsson, the other half of the high-flying Swedish brothers, is also in tonight's line-up but under a different guise.

The Grand Prix star insists he has changed his name to Max, his mother's maiden name.

British speedway spokesman Nigel Pearson said: "No one knows why but he has changed his name on his bank account, his bills, driving licence, everything."

Eagles: Mark Loram, Dean Barker, David Norris, Joonas Kylmakorpi, Joe Screen, Adam Shields, Peter Ljung.

Wolves: Mikael Max, David Howe, Sam Ermolenko, Adam Skornicki, Peter Karlsson, Chris Neath, Oliver Allen.