Jon Cook today insisted his Eastbourne stars are relishing the chance to work overtime in the Elite League.

The busy Eagles go to Coventry tonight, then have a re-match with the Bees at Arlington tomorrow in a flurry of five meetings in eight days.

With the Knockout Cup bid still alive and some of their stars involved in continental leagues, the World Cup and prestigious individual events, the workload shows little sign of letting up.

Especially while Eagles cover for the unwell David Norris.

If Eastbourne want a warning about the pitfalls of stress and fatigue, they need only chat to members of the Coventry side they lock horns with this weekend.

Bees' Swedish skipper Andreas Jonsson quit English speedway recently, citing fatigue and a stressrelated stomach complaint.

Cook, though, is convinced his men are relishing the challenge.

The Eagles promoter said: "Speedway teams and riders are used to riding regularly. It can be an advantage because they prefer to be racing a lot.

"What happened at Coventry was an exception. Our riders are very much up for the challenge."

Jonsson, who also races in the Polish and Swedish leagues and the Grand Prix series, revealed his parents had told him he looked guant and unwell when they saw him on television.

He added: "I feel I am doing too many meetings and too much travelling. I am just not getting enough sleep."

His place is likely to be taken by Joonas Kylmakorpi, who had been linked with a return to Eastbourne when Norris announced he was taking time out.

Eagles star Nicki Pedersen, whose hectic schedule rivals that of Jonsson, admits it is a trying time of the year.

He said: "It's very, very busy. I was racing all last week up to the GP in Copenhagen on Saturday.

"I raced on Sunday and Monday and flat out all week right through to the next GP."

Pedersen rode for his Polish club Zielona Gora, who pull in five-figure crowds, on Sunday, and for Swedish top-flight outfit Smederna on Tuesday before joining his Eagles colleagues at Peterborough on Wednesday.

He returns to Poland on Sunday and will be needed by Eagles at Peterborough on Monday.

The in-form Dane has nine bikes in various countries and teams of mechanics waiting for him at each track.

He said: "It's definitely tiring. I'm trying to run on autopilot but we're doing all right and I'm scoring points.

"I'm still focused when I'm riding and I get as much sleep as possible.

"This month is very busy. Normally it's not like that.

"I'm pretty organsied with the travelling, though. Otherwise I couldn't do it."

Adam Shields and Davey Watt combine Swedish league action with their Eagles commitments.

Watt does not plan to ride for his second-division outfit Valsarna on Sunday.

Instead, he intends to enjoy some free time with his sister, who is visiting from Australia.

He said: "It's nice to have a couple of days off every now and then but even then I'm still doing something to do with speedway.

"Stuff like speaking to sponsors, going to the workshop, ordering parts, sorting out flights. There are a million things to do.

"The schedule's really busy but I don't mind it. It keeps you sharp."

Arlington fans can expect to see the six riders who beat Belle Vue on Monday in action tomorrow, barring any mishaps tonight.

Norris sees a specialist today but is not expected to resume racing soon