By John Walsh

Last updated 12:40, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

Kauko Nieminen won’t need an operation on the collarbone he broke last week but will still finish the season the sidelines.

The popular Workington Comets captain has gone back to Finland and has seen the surgeon who operated on him two years ago.

In a telephone conversation with team manager Ian Thomas he has confirmed that the break is a clean-one and he won’t need surgery.

Thomas said: “It’s going to be four to six weeks before it heals but I think he’s relieved that he won’t need any operation to have it pinned.

“It’s still giving him some pain but he’s been told it should mend perfectly without any need for surgery.

“He had gone home to see this particular surgeon because he operated on him after he had been injured riding for Glasgow. He’s had problems with his shoulder and collarbone in the past and he sorted him out.”

Nieminen has sent good wishes to the team ahead of Saturday’s first leg of the Knockout Cup final when the Comets take-on Somerset Rebels.

“It really hit him hard when he knew he was going to miss the Cup final and the Young Shield and that such a successful season was going to end on the sidelines.

“I know he’ll be rooting for the lads and wanting them to do well in both competitions,” he said.

There’s now only one meeting to be completed before the final four teams in the Young Shield are decided.

The Isle of Wight beat Sheffield 57-36 last night on the island and will meet again in the second leg on Thursday at Owlerton.

Jason Bunyan, with 13 and two bonus points top-scored for the Islanders and Andre Compton notched 14 for the Tigers.

The Comets will be staging their presentation night at the Washington Central Hotel on Friday, November 14 with tickets selling at £17.50p (obtainable from Liz Denham on 07901 818367).