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. He 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.”
Northampton co-promoter Paul Hunsdon is expecting a tough test for the Foxes as they take on the champions. He said: “Ipswich are a very compact side, and we’re going to have to ride exceptionally well to get something there.
“But you never know – the six guys who we had at King’s Lynn on Monday are all really focused, and of course we’ve got Niels to come back in the near future too, which will only strengthen us.”
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.
Elsewhere, Leicester boss Stewart Dickson knows his side still has a sizeable task ahead, as the trophy holders seek the win or draw needed to secure a spot in the Premiership Knockout Cup Final.
Despite his side snatching a shock win at Sheffield, he said: “The result last week has given us a real chance of qualifying for the Final, but the words I’ll be ringing in the riders’ ears beforehand are that this isn’t over yet.
“We still have a job to do, and Sheffield will know if they come here and win, they make the Final themselves which they will feel they are fully capable of doing.
“If we do our job as a team, just like we did last week, then I’m confident we should win and get through, but we have to be prepared for a tough fight.”
Tigers manager Simon Stead said: “Yes, we were disappointed to lose at home last Thursday, but that’s gone now, and we have to focus on this fixture. We’re going to need the lads to roll their sleeves up, dig in and come out fighting and we know what we’re capable of.
“We need to limit any last places, work for those heat advantages when we can and, hopefully by the end of heat 15, we’ll have done enough to get the win and put us through to that Final.”
For any supporters who cannot make it to the Hydroscand Arena, the meeting will be live streamed on Lions TV - available from: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com.