Hammers injury woe
The Lakeside Hammers are facing further injury problems ahead of tonight’s meeting at Wolverhampton following Sunday’s action both at home and abroad.
Popular Brit Stuart Robson has suffered rib and lung injuries in a crash at Newcastle and is likely to be out of action for some weeks whilst Polish Heat Leader Piotr Swiderski made a successful comeback from his ankle injury in his homeland yesterday but has informed the Club that he is not able to race again this evening at Wolverhampton.
The Hammers Promoter Jon Cook commented early this morning: “My main thoughts are with Robbo as it sounds like he had a big smash.
“I have been in contact with his father in law and my Newcastle counterpart, George English, and although his injuries are serious thankfully he looks to have avoided the leg and wrist injuries first reported. He will need time to recover but, hopefully, we won’t have seen the last of him this season.
“In Piotr’s case he rode yesterday in Poland with the help of pain killers but he has informed both us and his Swedish club that he is not in the position to be able to ride again so soon after racing in discomfort.
“He will be left to produce the medical documentation required by the BSPA to prevent a riding ban in the UK but, obviously, it’s a huge disappointment to the Club as we endeavour to continue the great strides of the last few weeks, which have seen us reach a genuine position of being able to qualify for the Play Offs.”
Robson’s Double Up partner, Kauko Nieminen, has changed his travel plans and will be in the Hammers side at Wolverhampton this evening whilst team GB star Ben Barker will guest for the Hammers in place of Adam Shields with Rider Replacement operating for Swiderski.
The Hammers team for tonight’s away Elite League match at Wolverhampton will now be: 1. Lee Richardson 2.Peter Ljung 3. Kauko Nieminen 4. Rider Replacement (for Piotr Swiderski), 5.Ben Barker (guest for Adam Shields), 6. Robert Mear, 7. Kim Nilsson.
Picture: Kim Nilsson of Lakeside – Lakeside Hammers vs Peterborough Panthers, Elite League Speedway at the Arena Essex Raceway, Purfleet – 29/07/11 (Rob Newell/TGSPHOTO)