Jon Cook insists he has no complaints over Nicki Pedersen's decision to miss Eastbourne Eagles' latest away test.

Pedersen and home rider Greg Hancock have withdrawn from tonight's skybet Elite League clash at Oxford.

They say it is impossible for them to get to Bydgoszcz in time for tomorrow's practice session ahead of the Polish Grand Prix.

But the situation has been muddied by the decision of Scott Nicholls to ride for Coventry tonight, then rush to Poland. Speedway chiefs have ruled Hancock and Pedersen could have done likewise and restricted the two clubs to calling in low-average Premier League riders as replacements.

Eagles will use Rye House's Steve Boxall after their initial choice, Eastbourne youngster Dan Giffard, was ruled out by a groin injury.

Promoter Cook said: "Nicki and Greg and their travel agent say it is impossible to get to Bydgoszcz in time.

"Scott Nicholls is trying to make it but it comes down to whether you are prepared to be driven across Poland at 150mph or not.

"Nicki and Greg are making the point they are a bit too old for that. I don't have any problems with that if the two absences cancel each other out."

Cook has warned Eagles' play-off hopes are under threat after their mauling at Belle Vue on Monday.

He said: "There's no way to bounce back from that other than really getting stuck in. The riders owe their fans that."