Mildenhall Fen Tigers are gearing up for a "vital" speedway clash against Kent Royals as they aim to get their playoff qualification hope back on track.

The Tigers travel to the eponymous Kent Royals' Iwade track in the Swale area of the county on Sunday, August 20, for only their second speedway fixture of the month.

The chances of the Tigers making the top two qualification places come the end of the regular season in the National Development League (NDL) took a serious knock earlier this month when going down to a first home defeat of the campaign to reigning champions and bogey side, Leicester Lion Cubs. 

Ely Standard: The Fen Tigers triumphed in the Knock Out Cup against Kent earlier this season, beating them home and away.The Fen Tigers triumphed in the Knock Out Cup against Kent earlier this season, beating them home and away. (Image: Niall Strudwick)

That saw the East Midlanders leap-frog Mildenhall to take top spot in the table, and they've since stretched their lead to four points with an away win last weekend at Berwick.

And by the time the Fen Tigers take to track, they may find themselves out of the top two for the first time all campaign, as Oxford Chargers will have competed against Workington, knowing a win and three points would lift them above the Fen men.

Team manager Jason Gardner said: "It's an absolutely vital meeting on Sunday (August 20), and the team will be determined to bounce back from the defeat to Leicester and start a winning run again.

Ely Standard: The Kent Royals currently sit second from bottom in the league table in seventh place.The Kent Royals currently sit second from bottom in the league table in seventh place. (Image: Derek Leader)

"Having won at Kent in the cup without our talisman skipper, Lee Complin, l can see no reason why we can't get another away win and keep the pressure on Leicester and Oxford. 

"There's no question we are still in the mix for a playoff spot, and Sunday's our chance to make our rivals know that".

READ MORE: Tigers surrender top spot as league leaders after thrilling speedway defeat

Complin is available this time, as are the rest of the Fen Tigers 1 to 5, but they will be without in-form reserve Josh Warren.

Ely Standard: The Tigers will be able to watch the Royals face-off against Oxford as part of a double-header following their fixture.The Tigers will be able to watch the Royals face-off against Oxford as part of a double-header following their fixture. (Image: Derek Leader)

Warren was the top scorer n the corresponding fixture last term, but he is still suffering the ill effect of a crash against Leicester and following concussion protocol.

The action begins at 12pm at Iwade Speedway track, The Old Gun Site, Raspberry Hill Lane, Iwade ME9 8SN.