LINDGREN "A BIT NERVOUS" FOR WOLVES HOMECOMING

Swedish racer Freddie Lindgren spent 14 seasons racing on Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green circuit, but admits he will be “a bit nervous” as he makes an emotional return on Sunday.

The world No.4 is in the UK this weekend, competing in Saturday’s Ben Fund Bonanza at King’s Lynn (5pm start) – a vital event which raises cash to support riders sidelined temporarily or permanently by speedway injuries.

He will then head to Wolverhampton for former teammate Sam Masters’ testimonial meeting on Sunday (3pm start), where he is set to receive a huge welcome from the Black Country crowd.

Lindgren cemented his status as a Wolves legend, racing 14 seasons in their colours from 2003 until 2017 – missing only the 2014 campaign. He led the club to Elite League glory in 2009 and the SGB Premiership title in 2016.

Despite racing the Monmore Green track better than almost any rider in the world for much of his stay, Lindgren admits he will have to reacclimatise to the notoriously tight and technical 264-metre track after five years away.

He said: “When you haven’t raced these small, tricky tracks and you have mainly been on the continent on the big, wide-open tracks, you need to adapt. We will see how I can adapt, but I hope I can do it.

“I am both looking forward to it and a bit nervous. I look forward to coming back to Wolverhampton to see all the fans and all the friends I have there. I haven’t been there for six years. That’s quite remarkable when you consider I spent 14 seasons there – that’s a lot of time in my life.”

Lindgren remains a huge favourite in the UK and there’s no doubt fans would love to see him back in the SGB Premiership.

But the rider is sitting out Sweden’s Bauhaus Elitserien and only racing for Polish side Lublin alongside his Speedway GP commitments this year.

Having opted for a lighter schedule to aid his recovery from long Covid, he admits now is not the time for a British comeback.

“For now, I would say no,” he said. “But at some point? I would never say never. I have always enjoyed racing in Britain, so we will see.”

The Orebro-born ace also looks forward to headlining Saturday’s Ben Fund Bonanza, which also features GB star Tom Brennan, plus former British champions Danny King and Charles Wright.

Double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell, Steve and Richie Worrall, Kyle Howarth, Ben Barker, Lewis Kerr, Justin Sedgmen, Paul Starke, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert, Jason Edwards and Connor Mountain are also in action.

“The Ben Fund is a really good cause,” Lindgren said. “When you have a hard or long-term injury, it’s good to be able to get some help and hopefully they can raise some money for that cause.”