Speedway By John Walsh

Last updated 09:44, Saturday, 07 June 2008

Carl Stonehewer will return to the Workington Comets side tonight at Derwent Park against the Isle of Wight (7pm).

Carl Stonehewer

But the senior Workington rider will only make a decision on tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Glasgow after he’s ridden tonight.

Stoney said: “At the moment I can only take one meeting at a time. I’m still in a fair bit of pain and discomfort and I don’t know how I’m going to feel after I’ve ridden against the Islanders.

“It’s taken longer than expected to get over, considering there was nothing broken or cracked.”

Stonehewer suffered the severely bruised ribs two weeks ago in a Premier League match at Stoke and although he rode against the Potters 48 hours later at Workington was forced to pull out after two races.

He has not been on a bike since then but is prepared to give it a go for injury-hit Workington again tonight as they attempt to build a big lead in the first leg of thje Knockout Cup quarter final.

The Comets have 16-year-old Joe Haines sidelined with damaged arm ligaments while Barry Burchatt won’t ride this season as he faces a long recovery from a very serious grass-tracking injury.

Finn Tomi Reima is finding his feet in British speedway after being signed to replace Burchatt but Workington will have to use the rider replacement facility for Haines.

Team manager Ian Thomas said: “Stoney could probably do with this weekend off but he is prepared to give it a go to help us out. If he gets through tonight ok we will look at the situation for Glasgow.

“Workington have had a catalogue of injuries over the years which have been well documented but I think this season is as bad as any.

“We lost Craig Branney in February with a broken leg and then there was the shattering injury to Barry Burchatt – and neither of them was riding for the Comets at the time.

“We had the episode with Daniel Nermark’s thumb; then Stoney’s ribs and now we have Joe with his arm injury.

“The only thing I can say about those is that we thought Joe had copped for a more serious injury as everybody thought it was broken.”

The Wightlink Islanders have been boosted by the news that in-form Australian reserve James Holder has been given the go ahead to carry on riding.

Contrary to both his and the club's expectations earlier in week, he will be travelling north with the rest of the team.

He was due to ride in last night’s league match at Edinburgh and in the first leg of the KO Cup quarter final at Workington tonight.