David Norris is warning his Eastbourne Eagles colleagues size isn't everything when it comes to riding at Ipswich.

And he hopes that advice helps them cling on for at least an Elite League bonus point.

Eagles go to Ipswich Witches tonight (7.30) looking for a second away win of the season.

If that eludes them, they will hope a 12-point advantage from Arlington is enough to clinch the aggregate bonus.

Norris, an Ipswich rider in the early Nineties, guested at Foxhall recently for Wolverhampton.

At 305 metres, the Suffolk track is just 30 metres longer than Arlington but that does not mean Eagles enjoy life there. They have lost on seven of their last eight visits, the lone success coming last season.

Norris said: "It's not our favourite track but I can't put my finger on why that is.

"It's similar in size to Eastbourne but it's different in technique and maybe that's the problem.

"Ipswich have got a good side. None of them are unbeatable but they are pretty good riders.

"It will be tough but this will probably be one of the last meetings in which we really struggle if we get Adam Shields back.

"We're not even halfway through the season yet. None of us are panicking."

Norris scored ten points from six rides as Wolverhampton lost 50-42 at Foxhall two weeks ago.

His schedule has just allowed him a week off, offering the chance of a few days' fishing and bit of reflection.

He said: "We've got some stuff going really well. We learnt a lot from when we were at Ipswich two weeks ago.

"We got a good set-up for there and we've looked back at what we did so hopefully that gives us some sort of advantage.

"There's a nice atmosphere at Eastbourne at the monent. We are not blowing anybody away but it's all good fun."

The recent hammering at Reading has had one silver lining for Eastbourne.

Lewis Bridger's average without bonus points dropped to 4.31 after a low-scoring night in Berkshire, allowing him to remain at reserve when Edward Kennett (4.86) is in the team.

Bridger will move to No. 2 when Kennett is unavailable and Andrew Moore (3.45) returns to the line-up.

Bjarne Pedersen guests for the injured Nicki Pedersen tonight while Witches operate rider-replacement for the unavailable Robert Miskowiak.

Meanwhile Reading have called in Hans Andersen as guest for Greg Hancock for their trip to Eastbourne on Saturday.

Ipswich: Louis, Jansson, r-r (Miskowiak), Protasiewicz, Loram, Jaros, King.

Eagles: Norris, Kennett, Barker, r-r (Shields), Pedersen, Woodward, Bridger.