Lambert still has plenty in reserve for the Panthers

Emil Grondal (right) and SImon Lambert (centre) in action in heat 14 against Somerset. Picture: David Lowndes

The 27 year-old has dropped back into the bottom end of the city side following the release of the latest set of rolling averages for May.

Lambert has seen his 5.19 starting figure drop to 4.63 whereas team-mate Emil Grondal, who started the campaign at reserve, now climbs into the main body of the side after his 5.12 mark increased to 5.35.

South Lincolnshire-based Lambert delivered a string of stellar performances at reserve in the opening half of the 2015 season and is keen to start banging in the big scores again.

Lambert said: “It is tough in the main body of the team.

“I started to score better after moving into the number four position for the last couple of meetings and I feel I could comfortably hold that down.

“But the new averages put me back to reserve and I know that I can do a good job after last season.

“I didn’t really want to find myself back there, and it certainly isn’t a deliberate move on my part, but we are always guaranteed to have a strong reserve due to the way the team was built with strength in depth.

“I’m on the same equipment as last season so there is no reason why I can’t start putting in the big scores again although I’ll be at number six this time, which is the tougher of the two reserve positions.

“That’s certainly the target because I want to make sure it is a short stay at reserve.”

And Lambert hopes he can form a successful all-British alliance with Tom Perry at the bottom of the order.

Winter recruit Perry has been a revelation in the opening weeks of the campaign with a series of impressive performances.

His average remains on a 3.00 mark throughout the season due to the new rules which meant every club was provided to select a homegrown rider, who is eligible to race in the National League, in their number seven berth.

Lambert added: “Tom has been terrific so far. He is absolutely flying and hopefully we can work well together at reserve.

“We get on really well and we are like a mini ‘Team GB’ with the rest of the riders being Danish!”