By John Walsh

Last updated at 12:50, Wednesday, 01 October 2008

The news that Workington Comets fans feared has officially been confirmed – skipper Kauko Nieminen has broken his collarbone.

The popular Finnish rider was driven back to west Cumbria yesterday by mechanic Scott James and will be consulting with track doctor Andrew Butler.

After the accident riding for Lakeside on Monday night he had to wait two-and-a-half hours at hospital for an X-Ray examination and after being released was put-up in a London hotel by the Elite League track.

Workington team manager Ian Thomas said: “He is on pain killers because the shoulder is still giving him grief.

“He will be showing the X-ray pictures to Doctor Andrew Butler when he gets back.

“It’s not the shoulder he has suffered problems with in the past but he has broken this collarbone.

“From what he gathers it is a clean break and there should be no complications but that isn’t much consolation.”

First published at 11:51, Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk