Woodward led the Eagles to the Knock-Out Cup final last year

Eastbourne Eagles captain Cameron Woodward believes his team are in a position to start the Elite League campaign strongly.

The Sussex side finished seventh in last year's nine-team competition.

He told a BBC Sussex forum: "We showed at the end of the season how we can ride as a unit. Let's start like that.

"The track staff have given us the opportunity to practice more than ever. It's got to help. We should start better than anyone else."

Team manager Trevor Greer added: "We've kept the nucleus of last year's riders and we're stronger due to the ones we've brought it.

"We've got strength in depth this year. The team is certainly going places.

"We've got a busy start. We hope we can be at the top of the league in the first few months."

Meanwhile Eagles co-promoter Mike Bellerby has welcomed the move to allow Coventry Bees and Peterborough Panthers to re-join the Elite League.

"I think it's great news for speedway to have Coventry and Peterborough back," he said.

"Having a 10-team league is fantastic and we look forward to our matches against them this season.

It's got the potential for being one of the most exciting seasons there's been for some time Mike Bellerby

"It's got the potential for being one of the most exciting seasons there's been for some time."

Bellerby has also moved to allay fans' concerns that the fixture list will be dramatically altered by having two more teams in the league.

"Our dates are fixed but there will be some changes to accommodate Coventry and Peterborough.

"We'll have the same number of meetings. We won't run B fixtures against every club."

The Eagles begin the season at home to Wolverhampton on Saturday, 26 March.

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