WOLVERHAMPTON welcome back Great Britain star Tai Woffinden and hand a debut to Czech Republic ace Matej Kus in Monday’s Elite League derby with Birmingham at Monmore Green (7.30).

Parrys International Wolves are desperate to get back to winning ways and the return of Woffinden, who was in fine early season form before suffering a broken scaphoid, is a big boost.

Kus has been signed as a replacement for struggling Polish rider Lukasz Sowka and is doubling-up from Premier League Redcar.

Club owner Chris Van Straaten said: “This is a big meeting for both sides because we need to get our form back on track and Birmingham are right on the verge of the play-offs.

“No doubt Woffy will be a little nervous in his first meeting back but we need him scoring well and obviously we hope to see points from the reserve department with Ricky Wells now in the main body of the team.

“It’s a tough meeting because Birmingham are solid from top to bottom so we are going to need to be on form.”

And Van Straaten has taken a swipe at his neighbours after they said they were unhappy with the composition of the Wolves side.

He said: “Birmingham have been to places like Belle Vue, Coventry and Poole and faced depleted teams. Now they are facing up to a seven-man team they seem to be struggling to cope with the prospect.”

WOLVERHAMPTON: Freddie Lindgren, Ty Proctor, Robert Miskowiak, Ricky Wells, Tai Woffinden, Matej Kus, Jacob Thorssell.

BIRMINGHAM: Bjarne Pedersen, Martin Smolinski, Danny King, Ben Barker, Seb Ulamek, Tomasz Piszcz, Josh Auty.