Ellis Perks will ride at No.1 for injury-hit Eastbourne in their National League opener today – if they beat the rain.

But Eagles are still on the hunt for a top man on a more permanent basis.

Perks, dropped by Isle of Wight last week, guests for Kyle Hughes as Eagles go to Coventry Storm (4pm).

They will operate rider-replacement for injured skipper Richie Andrews.

Georgie Wood captains the side today although a rain-off would not be unwelcome for the Sussex outfit.

Hughes will be out for at least two months after suffering breaks to an ankle and fibula in the 56-34 home defeat by Kent on Good Friday.

Club director Connor Dugard, who plays a lead role in rider recruitment, has been assessing his options for a new signing.

And he admits they are not good.

Dugard said: “Losing Kyle was a big blow. I thought he was looking good for a full house in Friday’s meeting.

“We need to find someone to replace him but there’s nobody around.

“I’ve been going through team line-ups back to 2011 to see if there are any riders I’ve missed.

“Trying to find someone is quite hard.”

Perks, 19, comes from Worcester and was let go by Isle of Wight as part of a reshuffle enforced by injury to Brendan Johnson.

He starts the season on an average of 7.14 compared to Hughes’ figure of 8.67.

Eagles initially believed Andrews had also suffered a fracture in the return meeting with Kent at Sittingbourne.

That injury has since been diagnosed as ligament and soft tissue damage.

Dugard said: “When I ran over to Rich on the track he was screaming. I thought he had broken his arm.

“The injury he has is still pretty bad but he thinks he could be back for the meeting at home to Kent in the league (on April 9).”

Fans will be looking for a major improvement from Eastbourne after their defeats home and away to Kent in the pre-season double-header.