Ipswich skipper Danny King is backing Polish star Tobiasz Musielak to get back to his best with the Tru7 Group Witches this season.
The Rowe Motor Oil Premiership champions host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall on Thursday evening, bidding to overcome a 52-38 loss in the first leg at Owlerton on May 7 to claim the aggregate bonus point.
The Witches track a full-strength side for the first time since April 30 as Swedish star Philip Hellstrom-Bangs returns at No.6 after missing the month of May due to a two-week suspension, followed by a period of illness.
King’s side claimed a 47-43 win at home to league newcomers Northampton last Thursday, with Musielak leading the charge on 13 points.
His arrival for 2026 delighted King. He believes fans have not seen the best of the 32-year-old, who raced as Birmingham’s No.1 in 2025.
King said: “Tobi is really finding his form, which I believed he would. He’s a very good rider. When we signed him, I was really pleased because I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Tobi in the last few years. But I really feel we are going to see it again this season.”
Witches had announced plans to sign former Great Britain international Edward Kennett to cover for Hellstrom-Bangs. But Ipswich aborted the move, in part to give the Swede the best possible chance to make a swift return.
This decision was rewarded instantly with the news that he will return against the Tigers, and King believes his best is yet to come this season.
He said: “Philip is one of those riders who I feel in the second part of the season, when he has been to all of the tracks once, is going to step up. I think he has a lot to offer and it’s great to see him back.”
King insists the Witches cannot carry any passengers against Sheffield. He added: “That’s going to be a very tough test. We will need to be on our game for sure.
“The way the team is built, if we all do our job, we will win the meeting. It’s as simple as that. But when the team is built like this, you rely on all seven riders. We can’t carry anyone, so it is all down to us.”
Advance tickets for the Tigers clash are available online HERE now, with cash payments accepted at turnstiles on race day. For fans with pre-paid/online tickets or those who wish to make card payments, please use the entrance to the right of turnstiles.
The meeting will also be streamed live on WitchesTV. Click HERE for more details and to subscribe.
STARTING LINE-UPS
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES: 1. Tom Brennan, 2. Danny King (captain), 3. Richard Lawson, 4. Scott Nicholls, 5. Tobiasz Musielak, 6. Philip Hellstrom-Bangs, 7. Jason Edwards.
SHEFFIELD TIGERS: 1. Jack Holder, 2. Anders Rowe, 3. Rider Replacement for Chris Holder, 4. Leon Flint, 5. Josh Pickering (captain), 6. Jye Etheridge, 7. Jake Mulford (guest).