Speedway: Lawson returns to boost Monarchs' charge for title

Edinburgh MONARCHS today confirmed the worst kept secret in Scottish speedway - that William Lawson has rejoined the side and will ride in Friday's KO Cup quarter-final second leg tie against King's Lynn Stars at Armadale.

The 23 year old Scot replaces German Tobias Busch who was forced out of the team last week because he has no equipment and is currently banned for 28 days. Lawson comes in at reserve to partner new boy Arlo Bugeja and without question if the Perth-based ace can find consistency of scoring, Monarchs may have pulled off a masterstroke as they bid to win a third league title.

Lawson did a lot of his early racing at Armadale and has been part of the Monarchs line-up in four previous seasons. He was left out in 2009 and rode for both Berwick and Glasgow that year. He turned down the chance to ride for Monarchs this season, perhaps hurt by the snub he felt 12 months previously, and opted to move up into the Elite League with Belle Vue Aces.

However Lawson dramatically quit the Manchester outfit last month and has been cooling his heels until now.

A Monarchs spokesman said: "We are glad to have William back riding for us and if he can quickly find his form then he is going to be a tremendous asset from the reserve berth."

And in a further boost Kalle Katajisto, who has moved into the team proper under the new set of green sheet averages, has declared himself fit to ride following a week off after injuring his foot against Glasgow Tigers in their Premier Trophy fixture at Ashfield ten days ago.

Monarchs are now at full strength for their two huge away matches this weekend at Berwick and Newcastle .