Brent Werner is hoping to be Eastbourne Eagles' winning ticket after losing the averages lottery at his former club.

Werner is back at Arlington for a second spell after a change in average limits brought an end to his time at Premier League outfit Rye House, where he was granted a testimonial last season.

The return of Werner, who rode for Eastbourne in 2001, along with Dean Barker and Andrew Moore, both members of last year's team, completes the line-up for the 2006 campaign.

Werner averaged 8.12 in the Premier League last season and Eagles are waiting to hear whether he or Moore will partner Lewis Bridger at reserve.

Heat leaders Nicki Pedersen, Adam Shields and David Norris complete the seven-man team.

Werner, 31, comes from Los Angeles but has a wealth of experience of British speedway. He has ridden for Long Eaton, Workington and Newcastle, where he helped Pedersen through his first season in this country.

Now settled in Worcester, Werner is delighted to be back at Eastbourne, where he replaces Davey Watt in the line-up.

He said: "I enjoyed my time in the Premier League but I was surplus to requirements because of the new rules regarding averages.

"Eastbourne were champions when I last joined them but nothing seemed to go right for the club.

"We lost Joe Screen injured early in the season and that upset everything.

"But I didn't do too badly for my first season in the Elite League.

"I achieved a lot of things I set out to do but there was a lack of meetings compared with the Premier League.

"It came down to finances. I had a good offer from Rye House and they have treated me really well but sometimes I wondered whether I should have stayed with Eastbourne.

"It's a nice little track and I get around it quite well. That's one of the big reasons why I'm going back there."

The addition of Reading to make an 11-team top flight should ensure Werner is not short of action, or earning potential this year.

The fact that he has Arlington experience and that Bridger has also ridden the track regularly should also mean few teething problems when the new season gets underway.

Eagles dropped costly home points to Poole and Wolverhampton early last season.

Promoter Jon Cook is determined that will not be the case this time.

Cook said: "We are buoyant about the team.

"With the system in place, I couldn't keep last year's team together but Brent Werner is an unexpected gift. I never expected Rye House to release him. His previous season here was a very tough one for us but Brent was a consistent scorer and a well-liked member of the team.

"I am delighted he became available and wants to come back to the big league."

The new season is likely to start later than previously planned.

Eagles expect to hold their first league meeting at Arlington on Saturday, March 25, and are likely to arrange a challenge for the preceding Saturday.