LAKESIDE have received a double-whammy of good news in the past 48 hours.

Firstly influential number one rider Andreas Jonsson successfully came through a meeting in Poland on Sunday and he will be making his return to the Hammers colours for this Friday's home meeting against Peterborough.

Then on Monday night, a defeat for Coventry at Belle Vue in the Craven Shield booked the Hammers place in the final of the competition against the winners of the Coventry and Poole semi-final.

The final is raced over home and away legs and is scheduled to take place before the end of May.

"It's fantastic news for us as a club, and fantastic for our fans," said ecstatic boss Stuart Douglas.

"They have waited a long time to be in contention for a major trophy and to have the opportunity so soon into the new tenure of Jon Cook and myself is just brilliant.

"I hope the buzz goes round the whole area and everyone comes out to support the Hammers."

Douglas knows that his side will have to show better form than they did on Friday when they scraped to a 48-45 home win against Poole.

"That was a bit too close for comfort," he said. "If you were a neutral or a new visitor to speedway you could not have helped but be enthralled by the racing action, and that's what we are here to provide, a great evening's entertainment, but I was worried about the outcome as we went into the final race "That was as nerve-wracking a last heat as I've witnessed, and I would have been devastated to not come out on top."

Douglas admitted the Hammers had been a little fragile during the latter half of their last few meetings.

And he is hoping Jonsson's return will put an end to the Hammers' problems, even though he acknowledges the close results this season are good news from a spectator's point of view.

Regarding the Hammers' place in the Craven Shield final, fellow promoter Jon Cook believes that the team will be peaking at the right time.

"By the time the final comes around, our team will have slotted together really nicely and all the boys should be on top form at just the right time," he said.

"I really believe the Hammers this year are capable of big things, and I hope this is just the beginning."

Cook also believes the return of Jonsson will galvanise the side that has been looking vulnerable in the latter stages of matches since he sustained an injury a few weeks ago.

"AJ is a phenomenal rider and any team would miss his ability. He is also a buoyant character in the pits, and this can influence the whole team. It will be a lift for riders and fans alike to have him back."

The club's management have also been talking to Joonas Kykmakorpi who has been struggling to rediscover his form following his return to action after a serious shoulder injury last year.

The Finn is on course to drop to a reserve position when the green sheet averages are published and Cook is hoping that will kick-start the rider's season.

"We all know how fast Joonas can be, and everyone at the club will help him get back to the level of performance we expect and know that he is capable of delivering," Cook said.