Jon Cook today called on his depleted Eastbourne Eagles to win three meetings out of four as they bid to keep pace with the Elite League high flyers.

Eagles have lost Brent Werner, Adam Shields and Nicki Pedersen for tonight's Arlington clash with Oxford Cheetahs (8pm).

None of them will be back within the next fortnight with Shields possibly, but by no means definitely, out for the remainder of the season.

Cameron Woodward, the intended replacement for Werner, is still waiting on a work permit, though he should make his debut at home to Swindon a week tomorrow.

Which leaves Cook juggling figures, checking the rule book and anticipating a new set of averages as he looks to keep his team's upbeat start to the season alive.

Eagles will be expected to complete a fourth home win out of four and pick up a bonus point against Oxford, scene of their only away victory to date.

But it will be no foregone conclusion at the end of a fortnight which has seen:

Werner ruled out for about another three weeks by a broken collarbone.

Shields suffer a broken pelvis in a crash in Poland.

Pedersen announce he was having surgery on troublesome wrists ruling him out for a fortnight.

Peter Karlsson of Wolves guests for Pedersen tonight and Oxford's David Howe rides for Eagles at his old Wolverhampton track on Monday.

Cook said: "We are seeking advice from the BSPA as the rule book seems to have changed.

"Previously, with two riders out, we could use the guest to replace the lower rider and use rider-replacement for our No. 1.

"That can be quite a successful ploy if you balance it right but we are waiting for confirmation."

Pedersen is virtually irreplaceable at Arlington, though Eagles have done well to bring in Karlsson, who had a maximum against Arena-Essex when guesting at Arlington last year.

They have asked Karlsson and Jason Crump to consider riding for them at home to Swindon.

But Karlsson will go AGAINST Eastbourne on Monday when Cook's men visit Monmore Green.

Joonas Kylmakorpi could come into contention for the trip to Peterborough next Thursday.

Cook admitted: "Away matches are a low priority at the moment. We need to get through to the first set of averages."

And that means the date looming large on his calendar is Monday, May 15.

Weather permitting, that will be the night Eagles complete their first six away matches when they race at Reading.

By that time they will have seven home fixtures under their belts.

New averages come into force once teams have raced six home and six away meetings.

Eagles have four more home fixtures before they complete their sixth away date.

Champions Coventry and Ipswich also have to visit Arlington in that time.

Cook said: "The aim will be to win three of those four at home and not expect anything away."

Karlsson's style has not always endeared him to Eastboure fans.

But, if they go into tonight's match thinking the old enemy is not a bad person to have on their side for once, they can be sure that Karlsson's sentiments are probably the same.

Speaking after he had just been beaten into third place by Howe in last Sunday's Elite League Rider Championship, the veteran Swede said: "I like racing at Eastbourne.

"Racing for them is certainly easier than racing against them because they are pretty good on their home track.

"It's always hard racing there and I quite enjoy that.

"It's tough if you lose but it makes it even better if you come out winning and Wolves have had some good results there through the years.

"If I can help out I'll certainly try and fill Nicki's shoes as well as I can."

More by accidents than by design, Eagles are heading towards an all-British line-up. And veteran Brits Dean Barker and David Norris now carry a lot of reponsibility.

Barker is well up on his starting average of 5.20 and Norris was smiling, albeit briefly, after last week's win over Poole.