Tigers' duo face old pals.

Sheffield Pirtek Tigers look to make it three straight home wins when they face Newcastle Diamonds at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday. Reg Wilson's men have already beaten Hull and Workington on their own circuit and victory against the Diamonds would put them in a strong position in the Premier Trophy.

Andre Compton and Richard Hall will be facing their former club. Compton won the league championship with Newcastle in 2001 before rejoining Sheffield last season. And Hall will relish the prospect of proving a point to his former employers who axed him from their side after only a handful of meetings two years ago.

Newcastle include Czech Republic showman Mario Jirout who is on the comeback trail after being involved in a serious car crash last January. They have also signed former Newport and Stoke man Scott Smith who will make his first appearance of the season after travelling from Australia. Richard Juul has started the season in impressive style and he will be looking for a good performance to warm-up for his testimonial at Brough Park this Sunday.

And Lee Smethills was once a target for Sheffield. The former Belle Vue youngster has recently joined the Diamonds on a full-time basis after spells with Exeter, Hull and Workington. On his day he is more than capable of doing well at Owlerton and he will be keen to underline his liking for the big track.

Reserves William Lawson and Jamie Robertson are regarded as two of the most promising youngsters in the sport and their clashes with Hall and Ben Wilson will be worth watching.