WORCESTER-based speedway ace Brent Werner is gearing up for glory at the World Team Cup next week.

Werner will be riding for his native United States in the prestigious tournament, being held in England this year.

He competes in one of three qualifying heats at Eastbourne on Tuesday, against Poland, Russia and Slovenia, with the winners going on to the grand final in Peterborough next Saturday.

And Werner, who rode for Eastbourne last year before moving to Rye House, is confident of success at a track he knows well.

"It is probably one of the smallest tracks in England, but us Americans are brought up on tracks like that," he said. "If we all do a job we should win it.

"The competition is going to get tougher as it narrows down - Sweden and Australia probably have the strongest sides - but we did well last time with much the same side as we are going in with this year."

The winners of each heat go straight into the final at Peterborough next Saturday, while the runners-up plus the best losers in each heat go into a 'race-off' on Thursday, also at Peterborough, with the top two also going through to the final.

Great Britain, meanwhile, take on Australia, Germany and the Czech Republic in the first heat at Sheffield tomorrow.

Werner is happy with his displays this season for London-based Rye House, who are currently in mid-table in the Premier Division.

He added: "It is going really good and I can't complain about it. The team has been a bit up and down but I have been quite consistent all year."