Ipswich skipper Danny King admits a winter hand operation has helped him hit top form as he bids to lead the Tru7 Group Witches into the Premiership Knockout Cup Final on Thursday night.
The 2025 Premiership champions face league newcomers Northampton in the Knockout Cup Southern Section at Foxhall Stadium, seeking to make it three wins from their opening four matches in all competitions.
With the Witches defeating King’s Lynn home and away in their two opening cup meetings, victory over the Foxes would guarantee them a spot in the final against the Northern Section winners, with holders Leicester seeking a win or draw at home to Sheffield on Thursday to book their place in the final again.
King’s strong early-season form at No.2 has been crucial for the Witches. Despite captaining the club to Premiership glory last year, he admits a third operation on a hand injury, originally sustained in 2019, has made all the difference in him getting back to his best.
He said: “I had another operation to help with my grip, and it is a lot better than it was last year.
“Basically, I had the first operation, and they put some metalwork in. Then I had another to take the metalwork out. But it didn’t heal right, and I had restricted movement in my left, clutch hand. I couldn’t close my fist fully.
“I had a third operation in the winter just gone to help that movement, so that I can close my fist more. It was tricky at times last year – certainly if the tracks were rough.
“That’s the only difference from last year really. Everything else is the same. We have kept the bikes the same. I was happy with the equipment last year. Nothing has changed there. Hopefully now I can just crack on and keep this form going.”
King believes reaching a cup final so early in the season would be the ideal confidence boost for Witches’ new-look 2026 side. He said: “The season starts with the Knockout Cup, so your first target is to get to that final. If we can do that in the first few weeks of the season, that’s a great start for the club. It’ll settle the nerves and prove to everyone we are a team that can compete.”
Witches’ fine early-season form has been in no small part due to a dynamic double act between King and No.1 Tom Brennan. King is thriving alongside the double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion. The former British champion said: “I am really enjoying it. I said before the season that I am looking forward to riding with Tom. I think he’s a very good rider – a good team rider. We have a very good understanding on the track. That’s showing.”
King has raced to victory in heat one twice in the opening three matches, beating Speedway GP star Max Fricke at home to King’s Lynn and SGP world No.2 Brady Kurtz at Belle Vue on Monday.
“I am pleased it’s going this way,” he said. “If Tom and I can get the team off to a good start in heat one, that makes a huge difference. I’ve ridden at No.1, and I know how important it is. You have two reserves in the pits ready for heat two.
“When they see your opening pair go out and win heat one, or get a 5-1, it settles the nerves and lifts everyone. I am confident in my gating and the way I am riding at the moment, so I feel like with one of the inside gates in heat one, I should be there.”
Advance tickets for the Northampton Foxes showdown are still available online, CLICK HERE to buy now. Tickets can also be purchased on race night using cash or card at the turnstiles.
Fans can also catch the action live via WitchesTV – the club’s brand-new streaming service. For more details and to watch Thursday’s action, CLICK HERE.
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.
NORTHAMPTON FOXES: 1. Jaimon Lidsey, 2. Troy Batchelor, 3. Matej Zagar, 4. Niels-Kristian Iversen, 5. Nicolai Klindt (captain), 6. Kye Thomson, 7. Luke Harrison.