Eastbourne are ready to put their play-off push into top gear – after a frustrating stop-start opening to the season.

Eagles host possible title contenders Cradley Heath in one of the more attractive home meetings of the National League season tomorrow (7.30pm).

They then visit Rye House on Monday as part of a double header (4pm approx) and go to champions and leaders Birmingham on Wednesday.

Team manager Glenn Martin admits the visit of Cradley has the look of a six-pointer but is confident Eagles will be in the top four when it matters.

He said: “We have got to get going. We’ve only had one home meeting in the last five weeks but we’re looking forward to this one.

“Looking at the play-offs. I’d say Kent and Birmingham will be there, then it’s a case of two others.

“Belle Vue might struggle now Dan Bewley has gone to No.1 and won’t be getting so many rides.

“You’ve got Cradley and King’s Lynn will also be there or thereabouts.

“We are very confident we will be in the top four but, for early in the season, this is quite a crunch meeting.”

Jake Knight skippers Eagles and forms a potent top end with Adam Ellis.

Their battle with Ashley Morris and Max Clegg will be one to savour but Eagles director Connor Dugard also sees the bottom end being key. He has urged Eagles fans to turn out in force.

Dugard said: “We know the Cradley fans tend to be noisy and our riders will want to hear the Eagles’ supporters being loud and proud.

“The fixture list and the rain-offs have made it a bit of a stop-start season for us so far and crowds are down.

“I am really hoping that we get the atmosphere back at Arlington because this really is a huge match for us.

“I don’t see why we can’t make the play-offs. It’s a long season and it’s not about who starts the strongest, it’s who finishes the strongest.”

Eagles: Ellis, Cottham, Wood, Perks, Knight, Harris, Powell.

Cradley: Morris, Kingston r/r, Chessell, Basford, Clegg, Andrews, Purchase.