Bees star Nicholls switches to Witches.

Byline: David Rowe 

SCOTT Nicholls is set to join Ipswich on loan for the rest of the season.

The Buildbase Bees' No.1, who was signed as a short-term replacement for the injured Olly Allen, will make his final Coventry appearance of this stint in tomorrow's home clash with Peterborough before re-joining his hometown club.

Allen has now returned to action following a broken leg and the re-declarations will take effect from next Monday, when Ipswich race at Peterborough.

That means Nicholls (below) can still ride tomorrow in a meeting which has the potential to be tricky due to the absence of Chris Harris and Rory Schlein due to World Championship semi-finals.

Ironically, he will be back at Brandon the following Friday in opposition colours as Ipswich happen to be the visitors on July 10. Nicholls replaces want-away Jarek Hampel in the Witches side, as the Pole once again cuts short a spell in British speedway.

Witches manager Pete Simmons said: "The chance to work with such an exciting rider as Scott is something that I am really looking forward to.

"He has not performed to his best this season but I am very confident that a move closer to home is what he needs to put things right."

Allen's return to the Bees in place of Nicholls will end the controversy about their alleged 'strengthening-up' when in reality they were replacing an injured rider with their own asset.

Eastbourne promoter Bob Dugard was bitterly upset with Coventry tracking Nicholls at Arlington last month but Bees have now reverted to their original rider, as they always indicated they would.