Kyle Newman admits he is in a “horrible” situation after stepping in for an injured local favourite.

But the new Eastbourne signing has been putting in the miles to ensure he seizes his chance at Arlington.

Newman makes his second appearance for Fineprint Eagles tonight away to Birmingham, the side who axed him recently.

He showed faith in his ability by buying new equipment, even though he did not have a team place.

It paid off when Eagles called him after Tom Brennan suffered a triple break to the right leg as well as lung damage.

Newman, pictured, said: “It was awkward circumstances to join the team through a local boy getting injured.

“You don’t like to see it. I’ve been there myself.

“But, from a personal point of view, I had to snatch the opportunity.

“Whatever the score is, I’ll give my all for Eastbourne while I’m here.

“It was a tough period after Birmingham let me go. I didn’t know where speedway lay for me in the future.

“I didn’t know whether to carry on or not.

“We went out and bought some new clutches just in the hope I would get a spot.

“It was a bit of blind hope. l didn’t have a good start to the season, I’m the first to admit that.

“Sometimes in this game, it’s really horrible to say but you have to sit and wait for an injury or something like that.

“That’s what happened. I’m just ready to take control of it with both hands and I think this is possibly the best move I could have made.”

Newman met his new colleagues at last week’s match at Somerset and rode at Redcar 24 hours later before his debut in Eagles’ 65-25 smashing of Berwick at Arlington.

He said: “I live in Poole so Somerset is not too far for me and I thought it was a good idea to get on the bike and have a couple of spins.

“It was a good chance to catch up with the boys, although I know most of them anyway.

“I picked up an individual meeting and then a pairs meeting up at Redcar on Friday night.

“It meant going up and down but, after being off the bike for three or four weeks, I thought it would loosen me up and get me back in the swing of things.”

Eagles take a 25-point lead to Birmingham for the second leg of tonight’s Knockout Cup tie. Leicester await the winners.

Lewi Kerr has been passed fit after a crash on Saturday so Eagles are at full strength.