Jon Cook today brought Edward Kennett back to Eastbourne and said: "This is a new beginning for both of us."

Kennett will ride at reserve for the Eagles in place of Andrew Moore, who is doubling up with Mildenhall Fen Tigers in the Premier League.

Lewis Bridger moves to No.2 in the new-look line-up.

Kennett was Bridger's predecessor as Eagles' superkid when he was plunged into the heat of the play-off final battle against Wolverhampton as a 16-year-old.

He rode for Poole last season but became a victim of his own relative success when he accumulated an average too big to be accommodated within tighter team-building limits this year.

This season has seen him score at 9.57 for Rye House in the Premier League.

He also had a call-up for Eastbourne's hammering at Reading on Monday, in place of the unwell Dean Barker.

Kennett has been around the scene since his early teenage years but will not turn 20 until August and his arrival helps give Eagles an exciting, youthful look.

Eagles promoter Jon Cook reckons his return will be a popular one. He said: "Edward will be welcomed back by all our supporters.

"To see him and Lewis in the same team is an exciting prospect.

"I saw a lot of Edward in the winter and we talked at length about his plans for the coming season.

"He was disappointed not to be in the Elite League but I said I would do anything I could to help him get back.

"I'm really delighted to keep that promise. He is a far better rider than the last time he was with us.

"He will strengthen our team, particularly away from home, and his presence makes home meetings very attractive for our supporters.

"Edward, Lewis, Cameron Woodward and Dan Giffard, our asset who is on loan at Redcar, are all youngsters and great friends, along with Chris Geer, David Norris's mechanic.

"It's great for the future of speedway in Sussex.

"That's what it is all about. Taking steps this season for the future."

Kennett will ride off an average of 4.65 and slot in at reserve alongside Woodward. Bridger goes to No.2 in the order and partners Norris.

The switch will reduce Bridger's chances to ride and is the second time in as many seasons he has had to relinquish his reserve status because of a fast-improving average.

A similar thing happened at Weymouth last year, prompting his promoter at the time, Brian White, to make his now famous declaration that Bridger was a potential world champion.

He started this season aiming to maintain his assessed average of 3.00 and instead has seen it soar to 5.27.

The impact of the new averages, which came into force for Eastbourne after Monday's defeat at Reading, does not end there.

Norris is now unable to take a replacement ride for the injured Adam Shields.

That means Dean Barker, Bridger, Woodward and Kennett are the only choices to stand in for Shields.

Rye House will have first call on Kennett's services.

That could pose a problem as the Hertfordshire outfit and Eastbourne are two of the few tracks which stage home meetings on Saturday nights. As the fixtures stand at present, Kennett would miss home dates with Arena-Essex, Wolves (Cup), Oxford, Coventry and Belle Vue, as well as the forthcoming Bank Holiday trip to Coventry.

But he would be available for Friday night fixtures Eagles have arranged for some Grand Prix weekends.

Moore makes his Mildenhall debut when they host Somerset on Sunday.

Eagles are not in action until they take a 12-point lead to Ipswich on Thursday, followed by a home clash with Reading a week tomorrow.