Lakeside Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook is hoping his side can step up to the plate when it matters most as they prepare for a bumper bundle of action over the Bank Holiday weekend.

It has been a busy period for the Hammers, having gained maximum points in the 59-31 home win over Belle Vue last Friday, but losing skipper Davey Watt to a foot injury for their subsequent meetings away at Leicester and Belle Vue.

However, Cook confirmed the Australian will be back in the side for the home meeting against Coventry tomorrow (Saturday), before making the judgement call to name the skipper in the teamfor tonight’s trip to Coventry.

And with Mikkel Bech back in for Monday’s trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Swindon, the co-promoter knows now is the time the Hammers have to deliver.

“Davey will certainly be back for Saturday, and we have made a judgement call that he’ll return against Coventry tonight,” said Cook.

“Davey’s determination to return swiftly is commendable and just the attitude we need heading into a busy weekend of action.”

“Now is the time though that we have got to keep destiny in our own hands.

“Anything short of three points from these three meetings and we are relying on others to slip up and we can’t let it come to that.

“Hopefully we can come away with a point from both Coventry and Swindon. If we can do that, it will be a big boost to our chances.”

And on the rare Saturday home meeting, Cook said: “We don’t often get the opportunity to race at a weekend, and with it being a Bank Holiday weekend, hopefully the Hammers fans can come out in their numbers.”

Fellow Aussie Rory Schlein will deputise for Bech tomorrow, as he has done on a number of occasions for the Hammers so far this season.

And Cook has been delighted by the impact ‘the Rooboy’ has had in the Lakeside camp.

“Rory has been superb for us when we have called him to feature,” he added.

“He really fits in with the team ethos and it is so important at this stage of the season to bring someone into the team who is not going to upset the applecart.”

Adam Ellis picked up an injury riding for Ipswich last night, and he has been covered by Tom Perry tonight at Brandon.

After the loss of Watt last Friday, the Hammers came back from Leicester with a point after their 48-42 defeat on Saturday.

But they could not repeat that performance in a rain-affected meeting at Belle Vue on Monday, going down 42-33 after it was called to a halt after heat 12 following a torrential downpour at Kirkmanshulme Lane.

Lakeside team Away at Coventry tonight:

Davey Watt (Captain), Richard Lawson, Lewis Bridger, Kim Nilsson, Ben Morley, Dakota North, Tom Perry.

Home against Coventry on tomorrow:

Davey Watt (Captain), Richard Lawson, Lewis Bridger, Kim Nilsson, Ben Morley, Rory Schlein, Adam Ellis or replacement TBC.

Away at Swindon on Monday

Davey Watt (Captain), Lewis Bridger, Kim Nilsson, Ben Morley, Mikkel Bech, Craig Cook, Adam Ellis or replacement TBC.