Eastbourne have suffered a major blow ahead of their Good Friday derby double-header.

High-scoring reserve Lewis Blackbird will miss the trip to Lakeside (1pm) and the return fixture at Arlington (7.45pm).

Blackbird is required by his Premier League track Peterborough for their double-header against Ipswich in the busy Good Friday schedule.

Ben Hopwood of Stoke Potters guests for Eagles but Blackbird will be a tough man to replace.

The Cambridgeshire-based rider has impressed in his early Elite League meetings and top-scored with 11+2 (5) as Belle Vue were beaten 50-43 on Saturday.

Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: “There will be a lot of phone calls made this week.

“There aren’t enough riders to go around.”