PLYMOUTH Devils take a break from league action and resume their defence of the National Trophy against visiting Newport Hornets at the St Boniface Arena tonight (7.30pm).

The Devils will be keen to improve their winning home sequence while avoiding a hat-trick of defeats to Newport who have claimed victories in the league and Knockout Cup over Mike Bowden's city side this season.

Plymouth chairman Bowden is confident the Devils will avoid an unwelcome treble tonight and retains the same rider line-up for the fourth successive meeting.

However, Devils' National League sequence includes two defeats on the road, last Saturday at Weymouth (49-41) and on Wednesday night away to Bournemouth (55-40).

Against Bournemouth, Devils' star turn was skipper Seemond Stephens who top scored with 14 (paid 15) points.

However, Devils can boast an emphatic 59-36 home victory over King's Lynn last Friday, in which Nicki Glanz made his winning return to the Plymouth team.

Bowden said: "With Nicki back in the side, I think we're a lot stronger, particularly at home, where we're very competitive.

"Yes, Newport have beaten us both times this year, but that makes all the more determined to end the sequence tonight.

"We're the holders of the National Trophy and have been unbeaten at home over the past couple of months.

"So, there'll be plenty to fight for tonight and given the talent on display — from both sides — it's almost certain to be a very exciting meeting.

"Newport will be bringing with them some class acts and it's going to be down to our riders to turn on the style and extend our home run."

Newport's attack will be spearheaded by talented Australians Todd Kurtz and Mark Jones with support from Kyle Newman, Tony Atkin and former Devils' rider Tim Webster.

Completing the visitors' line-up are reserves Tom Young and James White-Williams, who is another ex-Devil.

Devils will also be operating a quid-for-a-kid scheme during the school holidays which will run until the end of August for home meetings.

"Speedway is a family-orientated sport and to encourage that we're happy to announce that we'll be letting children (under-16) into St Boniface Arena for just £1 from tonight," said Bowden.

Plymouth: Nicki Glanz, David Gough, Seemond Stephens, Matt Bates, Mark Simmonds. Reserves: Jaimie Pickard, Ben Reade.

Newport: Todd Kurtz, Tim Webster, Mark Jones, Tony Atkin, Kyle Newman. Reserves: James White-Williams, Tom Young.