Lakeside Hammers announce 2010 Elite League line-up

Kasprzak returns full-time to the Hammers for the first time since 2007

Lakeside Hammers have announced their full squad for speedway's 2010 Elite League season.

Krzysztof Kasprzak returns to the club as one of the heat leaders, replacing Lee Richardson who fulfilled the role last season.

Other new faces are Daniel Davidsson, who comes in alongside brother Joonas, and Hammers favourite Paul Hurry.

Captain Adam Shields, Stuart Robson and Kauko Niemenan have all been retained by the reigning Knock-Out Cup holders.

Hammers co-promoter Stuart Douglas told BBC Essex he was confident the side he and team manager Jon Cook had constructed was capable of more success this season.

I think Krzysztof is, along with Andreas Jonsson, probably the most exciting rider I've ever seen round the Arena and one of the fastest as well

Lakeside Hammers co-promoter Stuart Douglas

"We feel we have made a team that is certainly capable of the play-offs and then I think once we're into the play-offs, home and away I think we're a match for anybody," he said.

"It looks at the moment like the Poole Pirates are going to be the team to beat, they've managed to construct a very healthy looking team during the winter.

"But I think the riders we have, including a few Poole specialists such as Kasprzak, I think we can give them a run for their money.

"So play-offs definitely, and then we'll see if we can get to the final hurdle which has eluded us, which is the title."

One notable omission from the club's 2010 plans is last year's lead rider Lee Richardson.

The Swindon-contracted rider starred for the Essex side last year, but negotiations between the two clubs for him to return this season broke-down.

Douglas admitted it was an unfortunate outcome, but believed the arrival of Kasprzak, who rode for him in 2007, was a huge boost for the club.

"We have a fantastic relationship with Lee and he said if anything should happen through the season, he would love to come and do a job for us [as a guest rider] and he would be the first person we would call," he said.

"I think Krzysztof is, along with Andreas Jonsson, probably the most exciting rider I've ever seen round the Arena and one of the fastest as well.

"So I think he will be coming in as pretty much a guaranteed number one, although I'm sure Adam Shields and Joonas Davidsson will be looking to wrest the number one race jacket from him."