BIRMINGHAM have brought back fans' favourite Adam Ellis as part of an early season double switch.
He's joined by Nathan Stoneman who has earned a place at reserve after a stunning start to the campaign in the National League.
The pair will start in Wednesday's home league opener against Berwick (7.30) with Kyle Newman and Tobias Thomsen the riders to make way.
Edwards Plumbing Brummies team manager and co-promoter Laurence Rogers said: "After seven straight losses in all competitions we felt we had to do something. "We thought we'd got the blend right in the team with a 1-7 that had strength in depth - but sadly it hasn't worked out that way.
"The team wasn't firing on all cylinders at the same time and as we were 1.1 under the points limit, we had a bit to play with. "We felt we needed to do something and our first priority was to identify an out-and-out No.1.
"We need someone who can go out and get each meeting off to a good start for us in Heat One and someone who can take a bit of pressure off Ulrich (Ostergaard) as well as the rest of the team.
"Adam Ellis fits that bill perfectly - especially at Birmingham. "He rides Perry Barr very, very well and he's a top class, solid rider at this level. "Adam was looking to get some extra rides under his belt so when we approached him about re-joining Birmingham he was very positive about the move.
"As for Nathan Stoneman he's been in terrific form for Plymouth in the National League so far. "He's regularly been in double figures, he's got a couple of maximums under his belt and he's been looking for a Championship team spot for a while. "I think in his current mindset this could be the perfect opportunity Nathan has been waiting for to unearth his full potential at this level and we thank his parent club Mildenhall and National League side Plymouth for their co-operation.
"Of course there is a tinge of disappointment in the fact that we've had to tell two riders we were letting them go and that's never a nice thing to do.
"In Kyle's case he's a whole-hearted rider but it just hasn't worked out for him. "I'm sure Kyle would agree that his points returns haven't been anywhere near what we know he's capable of. "He's been a terrific team man but you could see in his body language that he wasn't enjoying his racing and that wasn't a good sign.
"Tobias was a victim of circumstance because we had to free some points up to get Adam in. "We would've loved to have given him more time - but sadly time isn't on our side in our current situation. "He's shown plenty of glimpses of what he can do on a bike in his short time with Birmingham - it's just a shame he couldn't demonstrate them on a more regular basis. "But I'm sure he'll be back in British Speedway at some point and we do wish both him and Kyle all the very best for the future.
"We now crack on with the remainder of our season and we hope by making a couple of big changes so early on shows that we're not just settling and that we're desperate for the club to succeed at this level."
