SITTINGBOURNE Speedway club have announced the signing of experienced rider Lee Dicken.

The news could spell the Iwade-based club's search for a settled incumbent of the vital Grade 11 position, vacant since David McAllan left for Premier League team Edinburgh Monarchs.

Dicken, 26, is one of the most experienced riders plying their trade at Conference level having raced at Premier League level with Hull, Newport, Newcastle and Arena Essex.

The Crusaders were close to capturing his signature soon after McAllan's departure, but have been forced to wait for Dicken to recover from a back injury.

Dicken will make his Sittingbourne debut on Wednesday night at Wimbledon and his match-up against Dons captain Mark 'Buzz' Burrows ahould be worth the entrance fee alone.

Former Wimbledon rider Andre Cross will line up against his old club, although other ex Dons Chris Hunt and James Theobald will miss the clash due to injury and work committments respectively.

Hunt will manage the team on the night though. The action gets underway at 7.30pm.

Sittingbourne: 1 Ricky Scarboro, 2 Stefan de Groot, 3 Andre Cross (capt), 4 Carl Downs, 5 Lee Dicken, 6 Daniel Blake, 7 Mark Baseby.