EASTBOURNE Eagles are expecting a record crowd for tomorrow's title shoot-out at Arlington Stadium.

The Sussex squad will be crowned Elite League champions if they beat King's Lynn, but what looked a formality a month ago could now all end in tears.

Eagles have suddenly got their backs to the wall instead of being red-hot favourites to lift the title.

They expect to go into one of the most important matches in the history of the club without three key riders.

Their championship challenge has been hit on the last lap by injuries to skipper Martin Dugard and Dean Barker and a world-wide ban on Stefan Danno.

Dugard sustained a broken collar-bone and three fractured ribs riding for England in the World Team Cup final, while Barker has damaged knee ligaments.

That was bad enough, but Eastbourne's plans were thrown into turmoil when Danno failed a breath test before last week's European Grand Prix in Poland.

The Swedish rider is currently considering an appeal against the decision to suspend him from all speedway, which might free him to ride in tomorrow's match.

As things stand at the moment, however, he is ruled out, and there is no doubt that if Eagles fall at the final hurdle the finger will be pointed at Danno.

Eastbourne boss Jon Cook is saying little about the situation but must be furious that Danno's behaviour has put the club's chances of winning the league in serious jeopardy. If Eagles are forced to go into the match against King's Lynn using rider replacement in Danno's position, three of his four scheduled rides will have to be taken by reserves Petri Kokko and Savalas Clouting and the other by Paul Hurry.

Said Cook: "It could be a disaster for us, but I don't want to say any more at this stage. If Danno is granted an appeal, he might be able to ride in the meantime, but that is a situation which could go right to the last minute."

It's all a far cry from the start of August when King's Lynn raced their last home match and then faced winning five away matches to stay in the title hunt. Added Cook: "While we have been hit by one problem after another, they have just gone on winning, and you have to say now that we are the underdogs."

The match, which starts at 5pm, is being screened live on Sky TV, but that is unlikely to keep the fans away. Said Cook: "I've no idea what the crowd will be. Massive. No one who can get to Arlington is going to stay at home and watch it on TV."

Eastbourne will have Scott Nicholls in place of Dugard, while King's Lynn should be at full strength.

Eastbourne: (from) Scott Nicholls, Paul Hurry, David Norris, Dean Barker, Stefan Danno, Joe Screen, Petri Kokko, Savalas Clouting.

King's Lynn: Jason Crump, Travis McGowan, Craig Boyce, John Cook, Leigh Adams, Steve Masters, Tom Madsen.