Eastbourne are looking to get their Elite League season off to a flyer tonight by springing a surprise at Belle Vue.

Promoter Jon Cook believes the Eagles could be going to Manchester for their first league match at just the right time as their hosts are set to be without star-man Joe Screen because of a shoulder injury.

Cook said: "I think we can do a really good job at Belle Vue and surprise a few people. Nobody fancies our chances and that's the way I like it."

Even if they cannot manage a win, Cook thinks his team will do enough to make the bonus point a near certainty when Belle Vue come to Sussex.

He made his prediction after seeing the Eagles gradually come alive in Saturday's 51-39 home win over Arena-Essex in a challenge match.

The night before the Eagles had not been at the races as Arena ran out 20-point winners.

It was a different story at Arlington, although it was a slow burn for the home side.

Nicki Pedersen and David Norris both missed the premeeting parade because of bike problems.

Arena kept the scores level in the early stages but slipped further and further behind as the Eagles started to come good.

Pedersen completed a 15-point maximum without looking 100 per cent convincing.

Andrew Moore was the pick of the rest, especially for his last to first ride in heat ten in which he just rode around his opponents on the opening two laps.

Sixteen-year-old Lewis Bridger made his home debut at Elite League level and scored three (paid four) points, including holding off the vastly more experienced Joonas Kylmakorpi in heat four for third place.

Meanwhile, former Eagle Screen has broken a collarbone, although the full extent of the damage is not yet known.

Screen will visit a specialist to see if his recovery can be speeded up with the break being to the tip of the bone.

Belle Vue boss Ian Thomas said: "It may be more complicated than we think."