ELLIS Perks is aiming to cash in on a spell at reserve during July – starting with Cradley’s home National league clash with Stoke at Perry Barr next Wednesday.

And Perks believes he can help the club’s injury crisis having lost Nathan Greaves to a broken leg and Michael Neale with a broken collarbone.

They’re looking to bounce back from defeat at the hands of Birmingham last Wednesday when the Brummies took full advantage of a weakened Heathens side.

Perks freely admits he’s been enduring a tough time in recent weeks, but his return to form is a timely boost.

He said: “I’ve been riding really well again recently, I feel like I’m back to my form from the start of the season so I’m happy with that.

“All my sponsors have stuck by me and helped me heaps which goes a long way, and it’s starting to pay off now.

“Hopefully now I’m getting back to form I can start banging in the points on a regular basis again.

“Unfortunately my scores last month weren’t enough to keep me in the main body of the team, but maybe going down to reserve might not be such a bad things.

“We are having a tough time at the moment with injuries, and having Mikey and Nathan out has made things difficult for us.

“With a depleted team it’s nice that I’ll be able to have seven rides if we need it, and now I’m finding riding well again I’m hoping I can play a big role this month.

“I’m feeling much more confident again and I’m riding like I was in the first couple of meetings. I was scoring a lot of points then at reserve, so I want to try and do the same again this month.”

Cradley have also accepted a challenge meeting at Sheffield on Thursday, July 23.

The club have also confirmed they are continuing their search for a new signing to bolster their side with riders out injured – but so far all their targets have failed because of the July averages.

Meanwhile, Cradley overcame a strong Exeter Falcons side to emerge with a 50-40 victory in their challenge meeting at the Oak Tree Arena last Sunday.