Edinburgh Monarchs are hoping unsettled star Blair Scott will say 'I do' to a new contract when informal talks are expected to be opened over his future at team-mate Kevin Little's wedding on Saturday according a report by David Kinvig in the Edinburgh Evening News.
Alex Harkess commented:
"I won't be speaking to Blair about a contract, but the wedding will give me the opportunity to talk to him on a casual basis to find out what his frame of mind is."
"I know he has expressed a desire to leave the club, feeling a change of team would be of mutual benefit. There is absolutely no ill feeling or problem with that. It's down to what Blair wants and what the club wants. I hope we can find some common ground."
With the BSPA Promoters Conference due to be held where the points limit will be set, Monarchs are probably establishing their range of options for next season.
"This year Blair went to Newcastle as a guest for another team and scored seven points. If he went to any away match for us and scored seven points we'd be delighted. I don't think we'll find a second-string rider who will do better round Armadale than Blair does on his current average."
"It's Blair's away form which is the problem. If he can improve upon that then we would struggle to find a better replacement for him."
Monarchs did win all their home matches but missed out away from home and only won two and drew one on their travels. Blair was very inconsistent away from home although he was by no means the only offender.
"First and foremost you will not win the league if you lose at home," said Harkess. "We were three away meetings from winning the league - and they were all extremely close meetings. So if Blair can score seven points at Newcastle for a rival team, why can't he do it all the time?"
Blair himself commented:
"I haven't spoken to the club yet about next season. I still feel a change of track might do me some good and would help me return to Monarchs as a better rider. However I have an open mind on things at the moment."
Meanwhile Monarchs may be close to securing the signature of Robert Eriksson for the 2001 season.
"Negotiations are almost complete," added Harkess. "And Robert has indicated he wants to ride for us again. Hopefully, we will make a formal announcement shortly."