Redcar Bears face a derby of sorts on Thursday when Berwick Bandits arrive on Teesside looking to extend their recent good form.

The border team are the shock Premier League leaders and have made a new signing in the form of Benny Johansson.

The Swede makes his British speedway debut for the Bandits, while Czech star Michal Makovsky returns as skipper.

Meanwhile, the English-speaking Bears will continue to operate rider replacement for the injured Chris Kerr.

Also threatening for the Bandits is Czech Republic international Adrian Rymel, who alongside Hungarian Norbert Magosi has been scoring very effectively in his debut season on these shores.

Rookie rider Tero Aarnio from Finland is at reserve, with the only Brit in the scheduled cosmopolitan Berwick line-up being young Adam McKinna, son of former Middlesbrough Bear Kenny McKinna.

Redcar continue to await the arrival of their own continental import in Joni Keskinen from Finland.