High-flying Eastbourne Eagles expect a big crowd for Sunday evening's clash with Elite League rivals Coventry at Arlington Stadium.

Three away wins in the space of 11 days have put the Sussex squad in the box seat in the title race.

July was always going to be a make or break time in Eastbourne's championship challenge, and if they beat Coventry it will take their haul this month to eight wins in nine matches.

Away victories win speedway titles, and Eagles have now won six times on the road compared to three by main contenders King's Lynn, while both teams remain undefeated on their own tracks.

Eastbourne boss Jon Cook is warning his riders against complacency at home but says the title is now in their own hands.

"The momentum is with us. All we have to worry about now is our own performances. If we carry on winning, then no one can catch us."

Cook has accused King's Lynn of a panic move by axing Shane Parker and bringing in former Eagle Peter Nahlin in his place. "It doesn't make any sense to me at all," he said.

One of Eastbourne's victories was at Coventry, where a stunning 52-38 triumph represented a swing of 24 points from their previous visit at the end of May, when Eagles were beaten.

The unusual 6 o'clock Sunday start is because of tomorrow night's British Grand Prix, but Cook reckons the fans will respond by flocking to see the Eagles take another flight towards the championship.

"Our crowds are increasing all the time, and I think Sunday evening will be popular with the fans."

Skipper Martin Dugard and Joe Screen, plus Coventry's Greg Hancock, Billy Hamill and Lee Richardson, will all be bouncing off the Grand Prix, so there will be plenty of world-class quality in the Arlington line-up.

Eagles will have Paul Hurry back from injury and expect David Norris to be fit after a crash at Wolverhampton last Monday which left him with a damaged elbow and ribs.

Hurry has missed the last six matches, but the fact that Eagles have won five of them says more about the rest of the team than it does about Hurry.

Explained Cook: "It's no reflection on Paul. It's just that everyone else has been exceptional. When we lost David on Monday, we beat Wolves with four fit riders."

Coventry should be at full strength for the first time in nearly two months. Richardson is due to return after six weeks out with a kidney complaint, while John Jorgensen is set to rejoin them from Belle Vue.

Eastbourne: Martin Dugard, Dean Barker, David Norris, Paul Hurry, Joe Screen, Petri Kokko, Per Wester.

Coventry: Greg Hancock, Stuart Robson, Lee Richardson, Shaun Tacey, Billy Hammill, John Jorgensen, Scott Robson.