SKIPPER Max Clegg is backing Cradley’s struggling riders to battle through their confidence crisis.

The Heathens remain unbeaten in their home meetings at Wolverhampton this season but are clearly struggling on their travels.

They were well beaten at Eastbourne on Saturday before Clegg teamed up with Ash Morris to secure a draw at Buxton in the Knockout Cup.

They are clear favourites to progress when the sides meet again in the return leg at Monmore on June 13.

Clegg said: “We’ve got some riders struggling, but they are riding for Cradley for a reason and I’m sure they’ll come good.

“They have the ability, it’s just a case of them getting the self-belief and confidence to start scoring more points.

“We’re trying to help them as much as we can with setups and advice, and hopefully things will click for everyone and we’ll improve even more as a team.

“It’s been a decent start to the season for us, especially at home, but I think there is definitely a lot more to come from us so we need to try and start showing it over the next few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Cradley legend Simon Cross is heading back to the town to meet his fans next month.

Cross, who piled up over 5,000 points for the club in the Dudley Wood era, will be on stage at Cradley Heath Liberal Club on Monday June 20.

A bumper turnout is expected to welcome the former England test star who now lives in France.

He said: “I’m looking forward to meeting the Cradley fans again, Cradley was always my home during my career and it will be nice to be back in the town.

“I’m like every other Cradley fan, one day I hope they will get a track of their own, the fans deserve it.

“I don’t get to speedway much these days, we come over for Cardiff occasionally, but we’re over for a week in June and when I was asked if I would like to do a night like this I jumped at the chance.”

Admission is £6 on the door or £5 for Heathens season ticket holders and trust members.