Jake Knight wants to race for Eastbourne next season – as a double champion.

The IT First Eagles skipper leads his side in the Knockout Cup semi-final at home to Cradley tonight (7.30pm) looking to protect and extend a two-point lead from the away leg.

Success would set up a final against Birmingham, the track Eastbourne already know they will face in the Knockout Cup final.

There is a lot of on-track business to be done between now and the season’s close at the end of the month.

But Knight would love to finish October in a position where he is talking terms for next season.

The former King’s Lynn heat-leader told The Argus: “It is probably a bit too early for talks about next season.

“But I will happily say here and now I want to be back at Eastbourne next year.

“It just depends on the points limit, what they have got planned and which way the team is going to work out for next year.

“I hope I’ll be back but you never know at this time of year. It’s speedway!”

Knight is quietly confident Eagles will finish the job on home shale tonight.

He said: “Anything can happen. We are not going to be complacent. We know we can beat Cradley. We beat them comfortably here in the league match.

“It’s a matter of stopping Max Clegg and Ashley Morris getting wins.

“Or, even if they win their heats, as long as we get no last places, that’s pretty much the guaranteed way of getting through.

“I think we are confident of doing it. It will be more disappointing if we don’t do it.

“Everyone now has hit form.”

Cradley’s hopes of using former Eagles favourite Ben Hopwood as guest for Luke Chessell appear to have been dashed.

Hopwood’s track Stoke also have a fixture.

Tonight’s winners will visit Birmingham in the first leg of the final on Wednesday.

Should Eagles be in the final, the second leg will be at Arlington on Sunday, October 30 (6.30pm).

The play-off final against Brummies will kick-off at Arlington on Sunday, October 23 (6.30pm) with the second leg at Perry Barr the following Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Eastbourne fans have been warned time is running out to book their places for their biggest off-track night of the year.

The club celebrate the end of the campaign at The Grand hotel, Brighton, this coming Friday (7.30pm).

A ticket price of £32.50 includes a two-course sit-down meal, live entertainment and the awards presentation.

Tickets must be booked by Monday and this can be done by clicking on the appropriate panel on their website at eastbourneeagles.co and paying via paypal.

Alternatively, call 01273 844 383 for Visa and Mastercard payments.

Eagles: Ellis, Cottham r/r, Perks, Wood, Knight, Brennan, Powell.