Eastbourne Eagles bid to gain revenge for their biggest defeat of the season at Arlington Stadium tonight (7.30).

Eagles crashed 51-39 at Oxford in June, and Eastbourne boss Jon Cook is demanding an improved showing from his side after Thursday night's narrow victory over Poole.

"It's vital that we beat Oxford by more than 12 points and get the bonus point."

Cook believes the Sussex club's position at the top of the table, which has looked secure for much of the season, is now under serious threat.

"I think Wolves will win their last three matches, and they have a superior race points record to us, which means we will have to get at least six points from our last four matches."

That could be a tall order with home and away matches against Coventry and the return encounter at Poole to come.

Cook added: "I was very disappointed with our performance against Poole. We would have lost without Adam Shields. He was brilliant, but you don't expect a Premier League rider to come into the side as a guest and rescue you like Adam did."

One factor in Eastbourne's favour tonight is that Oxford will be tracking a patched-up team with four of their first-choice riders unavailable.

Lukas Dryml and Steve Johnston are in the world championship round in Poland, while Ales Dryml and Brian Andersen are both injured.

Said Cook: "Oxford are discovering how difficult it is to find replacements. We know from our own experience of trying to replace Toni Svab. There isn't a conveyor belt of riders who can come into this league and do the business."

Eagles will have Kelvin Tatum on Svab duty and use rider replacement for Dean Barker, who is also in the Grand Prix qualifier in Poland.

Tonight's teams: Eastbourne - Mark Loram, Stefan Andersson, Joe Screen, David Norris, rider replacement, Savalas Clouting, Kelvin Tatum. Oxford - Jernej Kolenko, Ray Morton, Leigh Adams, Dave Watt, rider replacement, Mark Lemon, Alun Rossiter.