Swiderski was named Witches rider-of-the-season in 2008

The Ipswich Witches have retained just three members of their current line-up for the 2009 season.

Piotr Swiderski, Jarek Hampel and Tobi Kroner all return for the new campaign.

Witches assets Danny King and Leigh Lanham will both be back at Foxhall alongside Polish rider David Stachyra and 17-year-old Australian Darcy Ward.

There are no places for veterans Chris Louis and Mark Loram, who are both still struggling with injury and cannot commit to starting the season.

Witches team manager Pete Simmons told BBC Radio Suffolk: "Both of them feel that March is going to be too soon so the ball is in their court now.

"It's down to them to decide if their fitness comes up to scratch then obviously they could be considered if the season goes on."

Stachyra will be making his Elite League debut after impressing in Ipswich's 16 Lapper event at the end of last season.

Simmons said: "Once he gets his equipment set up and everything dialled in I'm sure he's going to be a reserve to be reckoned with."

Ward will double up with an as yet unnamed rider for King's Lynn and Simmons is tipping the Australian for the top.

He added: "A very hot prospect, he's been billed as the next Chris Holder and we've got to thank Buster Chapman at King's Lynn for approving the use of him as a double-up rider."

The Witches say they hope to name a new skipper in the next few weeks.

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