Peterborough Panthers promoter Mick Bratley has revealed that the club have launched a formal appeal against Jesper B Monberg's amended average for 2009.

Monberg, 31, is set to become Panthers' third signing for next season, but the move is dependant on him joining the club on a 4.51 average instead of 6.49.

Bratley told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Monberg is going to be our captain, he's really up for it.

"I think this move is going to reinvigorate his speedway career."

Monberg is a Peterborough asset, but spent last season on loan at Wolverhampton.

Panthers look set to operate without a big-name rider next year and Bratley believes Monberg can play a huge role at the club.

"He's desperate to come back to Peterborough, and we're fairly desperate to have him because the team we are putting together is a fairly young side," he said.

Monberg was originally handed a 4.51 average, but that was amended by the British Speedway Promoters Association following a mix-up over the number of home and away meets in which the Dane competed last season.

Panthers can only afford to take Monberg on his original average, and Bratley feels that the club have a strong case.

"There's no way we could fit Monberg in on the higher average and our entire team has been built with that in mind," he said.

"The rules are clear in black and white and - despite how some people would want to interpret them in order to stop us having a bit of an advantage - rules are rules."

Panthers will appeal to the BSPA on Friday with the option to take the matter further should they fail to get the amendment overturned.

However, Bratley says the club have got back-up options should they be unable to sign Monberg.

"We've got a safety net with someone else we can slot in instead of Jesper," he said.

"The whole team is now complete, but we do not want to announce the team and influence any decision that will be made on Friday."

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