PLYMOUTH Devils are expected to find out today which sides they will face in both league and cup competition when National League bosses meet in the Midlands.

Ten teams, including chairman Mike Bowden's side, have already been accepted to enter the National League in 2010.

Tomorrow, that number could be increased to 11 if Dudley Heathens' application to compete in the third tier of British speedway is accepted.

Bowden, who has already confirmed his rider-line-up for the upcoming season, said he does not mind which teams Devils have to face or when.

"The new season is going to be tough regardless because every team in the National League has strengthened their squad," said the Plymouth chief.

"So, whoever we have to race against first in the league or in the cup competitions, we will expect a difficult match.

"I do expect us to be very competitive this year, particularly at home where we have always been traditionally strong.

"But I don't believe there will be too many matches where any side, including us, will beat the other easily.

"The league is going to be a strong one and hopefully both an entertaining and exciting one as well."

The city side will begin the new season as one of the favourites to win at least one of either the National League, National Trophy or National League Knockout Cup competitions.

Last year, the St Boniface Arena outfit reached the final of the league play-offs before losing to Bournemouth Buccaneers and made it through to the last four of the Knockout Cup before being beaten, again, by the South Coast side.

To make up for those two losses, Plymouth lifted the National Trophy for a second successive year.

Meanwhile, Dudley team manager Will Pottinger is hoping that today's meeting will lead to the Heathens being accepted into the National League.

The Midlands side have applied to race in the division carrying the nickname of the famous old Cradley Heath club.

Cradley were forced to close down after losing their Dudley Wood Stadium home to housing development at the end of the 1995 season.

The new Dudley outfit aim to split their home meetings between Wolverhampton's Monmore Green and Perry Barr, home of the Birmingham Brummies.

Pottinger said: "This Thursday is what we've been building up to right from the moment we announced the plans in November.

"We haven't been able to do anything concrete until such a time as we know whether the National League will accept us, but we are hopeful."