THE Somerset Rebels will wrap-up their League Cup group matches with the visit of the Peterborough Panthers to the Oaktree Arena tomorrow night (Friday).

Despite a slow start to the competition, Peterborough have hit a good run of form of late, which has included away wins at Rye House and Plymouth - and as a result, the Panthers still have an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-final stages of the League Cup.

Somerset are awaiting an update on the condition of their reserve, Paul Starke, who missed last Friday’s home match against Ipswich due to an ankle injury sustained whilst riding for Poole - but if he has not sufficiently recovered to ride in Friday’s match, then the Rebels will bring in a guest replacement for Friday’s match.

“Although our League Cup ambitions took a big dent with last week’s home draw with Ipswich, at the time of speaking we still have an outside chance of finishing in second place in our group with a home win against Peterborough on Friday night - plus we will be looking to finish our group matches on a high with a home win,” said Somerset team manager Garry May.

“At this stage of things we are not sure if Paul Starke will be fit to return to the side, and although we do have a guest replacement on stand-by, we will give Paul as long as possible before making a final decision.”

After the main meeting, there will be a second-half junior challenge match between the Exeter Falcons and a side representing the Somerset Rebels.

This is the second match of Exeter’s ‘residency’ at the Oaktree Arena and will comprise of four riders a-side and contested over six heats.

Prior to Friday night’s home match against Peterborough, the Rebels travel to Sheffield on Thursday evening for their opening Premier League meeting of the season.