By John Walsh

Last updated 13:08, Tuesday, 23 September 2008

Workington Comets are resigned to missing out on a place in the Premier League play-offs.

They have accepted that Rye House will get the chance to secure the points they need to finish fourth by racing and beating Newcastle Diamonds on Friday night.

That would put Workington into the Young Shield competition which involves team which finish from fifth to 12th in the League.

In preparation for that competition Workington have picked to ride against Scunthorpe Scorpions in the first round. By finishing fifth they would have first choice from the teams finishing ninth to twelfth.

Team manager Ian Thomas said: “I have spoken to Len Silver at Rye House and he has had a long range weather forecast which suggests there should be no problem on Friday night.

“I don’t think there will be anybody who would think Newcastle are capable of winning at Hoddesdon so a victory for the Rockets is very much on the cards.

“Because of the cut-off date clubs have to plan ahead so we need to sort-out our matches in the Young Shield.

“You look at various factors when you are making a selection but in the end it came down to the fact that I think we have the best chance of beating Scunthorpe over two legs.

“The other alternatives were Birmingham, Isle of Wight and Reading so I don’t think many people would argue at my selection.”

The away leg at Scunthorpe will be ridden on Friday, October 3 with the return at Derwent Park 24 hours later.

If the League clashes between the two had been in the Young Shield and decided on aggregate the Comets would have progressed 97-86 after winning the home leg 54-39.

The Comets will be forgetting all about the Young Shield this Friday as they are in action at Edinburgh in the semi-final first leg of the Knockout Cup with the return at Derwent Park on Saturday.

They have had an early boost with confirmation that Finnish international Tomi Reima will be back to ride against the Monarchs. He has missed the last two meetings with a strained back.

“Tomi rode at the week-end and phoned to say he felt fine afterwards. He scored ten points and was in good spirits,” said Thomas.

Reima will be riding at reserve and could be a key figure in both Knockout Cup matches. Tomas Topinka of King’s Lynn will guest in both matches.