STEVE Worrall returns to the Cradley team for Sunday’s trip to Mildenhall as they look to secure top spot in the National League for the fourth time in five seasons.

Worrall admits one negative side of his stunning season so far is the amount of meetings he’s been forced to miss in Heathens colours because of clashes with Premier League side Edinburgh and, to a lesser degree, Elite League Swindon.

He said: "The only bad thing this season has been the amount of meetings I've missed because of fixtures clashing.

"It's really frustrating to be missing meetings for any of your clubs, but when you are riding in all three league there's not much you can do about it I suppose.

"It's disappointing but hopefully I’m not going to miss too many more between now and the end of the season.

"We've had some massive wins and everyone is high on confidence at the moment.

“We know we need to keep that up and do well in the play-offs, but I don't see any reason why we won't.

"Fingers crossed things carry on as they are for the rest of the season and we can end up winning the league again.

"That's what we are all aiming for, so I suppose it's up to us riders to make sure it happens."

Heathens are next in action at their Monmore Green home against King’s Lynn on Tuesday, August 26.

And it’s been confirmed the return fixture between the two sides on September 3 at the Norfolk Arena will also double-up as the second leg of the National Shield.

Boss Will Pottinger said: “We are at the stage of the season where the important meetings will be coming thick and fast.

“I agree with Steve Worrall about missing meetings, it’s frustrating for the management too.

“It seems like every meeting something is happening with a rider missing but I suppose it’s also an indication of how well our riders are doing because they are riding at an higher level.”

Cradley have booked Coventry’s Oliver Greenwood as a replacement for the unavailable Paul Starke this weekend.

The Heathens were due to take on Mildenhall at Monmore Green last night ahead of this weekend's return fixture.

Meanwhile, Cradley finished in third place in an entertaining Retro Fours meeting hosted by Wolverhampton on Monday.

Aaron Summers, Stuart Robson, Gino Manzares and Kyle Newman all put in determined displays as the Heathens lost out to Birmingham and rivals Wolverhampton.

A controversial exclusion of Manzares following a clash with Wolves man Lasse Bjerre in the final race proved costly in the battle for second place as Cradley ended just one point behind the hosts.