Eastbourne’s top four have been told they must be on their game against the old enemy.

Adam Ellis, Ellis Perks and Luke Harris make their debuts for the Sussex track as they host a strong looking Kent side in the first National League meeting of the season at Arlington tonight (7.30pm).

Ellis, Perks, skipper Georgie Wood and Jake Knight will all have to score well if Eagles are to beat a Kent outfit who won 56-34 in a pre-season shocker at Arlington on Good Friday.

But team manager Glenn Martin says every rider needs to chip in. That includes three three-pointers in the side in Harris at No.2, Charley Powell and his fellow reserve Nick Laurence.

Ex-Kent man Harris is on new ground and Laurence stands in as guest for the holidaying Nick Phillips. That could leave Powell, who showed potential in the win at Coventry on Easter Monday, as the best source of points from the lower order.

Martin said: “We will rely a lot on our top four and hopefully they will get enough points, although it won’t be easy but our reserves can play a big part for us. If they can get seven or eight points, there’s no reason why we can’t win.

“I know Charley has had some practice at Eastbourne. He is still learning but, if he can get out in front of people, he is capable of staying there.”

Martin is aware of the threat Kent pose and sees Luke Clifton at No.2 as potentially their secret weapon. He said: “They have started the season on fire and their No.2 is no way a 3.50-average man. We will see what happens but every bit will help us – from every rider.”

Eagles: Ellis, Harris, Perks, Wood, Knight, Laurence, Powell.

Kent: Bowen, Clifton, Ayres, Mason, Shanes, Verge, Thomas.