James Grieves will replace his successor Robert Eriksson in the Monarchs Number One race jacket but for one match only.
James comes in as guest in the key match against Newcastle Diamonds at Armadale on Friday. The Monarchs' promotion faced a difficult decision with so many Premier League sides in action on Good Friday. Arena Essex face Reading, Sheffield meet Berwick and Stoke visit Workington as well as the Edinburgh-Newcastle match.
That left Hull and Glasgow as the only Northern tracks available to choose a guest from and with all the Hull riders a bit rusty following their weather-induced delayed start to the season, Glasgow was the likely source. Of the Glasgow team James is by far the best bet at Armadale.
Monarchs boss John Campbell said "James can gate well, and he has proved that he can pass people at Armadale. It will be a tough match but I think we've got the best man available as Robert's stand-in."
Monarchs certainly need someone who can do some damage to the Newcastle top five and James has proved himself in 1999 as good a rider of Armadale as anyone. Anyone that is apart from Peter Carr! James's recent displays at the Arena have been indifferent. Maybe this will be when he redeems himself with the Monarchs' support?
This week could go a long way to determining if Monarchs injury-ravished squad can defy the odds and qualify for the knock-out stages of the Premier National Trophy. Newcastle are probably the team most likely to trouble Edinburgh at home now that Workington have been seen off. Neaxt week sees Monarchs visit the trophy holders Hull who are struggling at this stage on Wednesday. Edinburgh then face an away and home double against group favourites Sheffield on Thursday and Friday.