The struggling city side slumped to a 15-point home loss at the hands of Eastbourne on Thursday to dent their hopes of escaping the Elite League relegation zone during a hectic final month of the season.

And now they face another demanding home test at the Showground when table-topping title favourites Poole provide the opposition (7.30pm start).

The Dorset side arrive on an excellent 13-meeting unbeaten streak stretching back to June, but it is Panthers who intend to be the headline grabbers tonight.

Czech ace Lukas Dryml, who has scored well at home since returning to the club last month, said: "Thursday was a bad night but we have to make sure that we make Monday a good one.

"I don't believe in looking at the table and thinking about where we are going to finish - I take things one meeting at a time and always try to put in a good performance.

"I know Poole are at the top of the league and that we are near the bottom, but we can beat anyone at the Showground if we ride the way we all can.

"It is not about every rider going out there and getting a maximum, but we all need to do our bit with solid points to help the team.

"Today is a new day and we know we need to get a result."

Panthers are dependant on Polish rider Karol Zabik returning after a two-and-a-half week injury lay-off with a dislocated elbow.

Zabik was due to ride in his homeland yesterday and was set to make his Panthers return if coming through with no adverse effects.

Panthers will be hunting for a guest should Zabik not be fit as number eight Ty Proctor is riding for Australia in an Under 23 test match against England at Wolverhampton.

Poole already boast a 22-point success at the Showground this season. They triumphed 57-35 here in May after Panthers had lost then-captain Hans Andersen to a nasty heat six crash.

The Dorset side will have high hopes for a repeat especially as they now field two riders with Peterborough connections - Swedes Magnus Zetterstrom and Daniel Davidsson.

The Sky Sports cameras will be at the Showground tonight for the second successive Monday.

The TV channel has shelved its original plans to screen a meeting between Belle Vue and Wolverhampton in favour of capturing the drama at Alwalton.

Panthers promoter Mick Bratley said: "Seven days ago we looked an exceptional side when beating Swindon on TV.

"We have to all click like that again to send Poole home empty-handed."

Teams

Panthers: 1 Ryan Sullivan (7.72), 2 Lukas Dryml (6.28), 3 Kenneth Bjerre (7.36), 4 Henning Bager (4.37), 5 Danny King (5.88), 6 Karol Zabik (3.69), 7 Claus Vissing (4.18).

Poole: 1 Chris Holder (8.61), 2 Magnus Zetterstrom (6.24), 3 Bjarne Pedersen (8.84), 4 Adam Skornicki (5.74), 5 Davey Watt (8.33), 6 Freddie Eriksson (5.26), 7 Daniel Davidsson (4.16).

SCB referee: Tony Steele.