Last updated at 12:24, Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Workington Comets have made further team changes by dropping Gary Irving from their side and bringing in Dudley’s Ashley Morris.

Gary Irving

Irving was told of the decision by owner Keith Denham on Monday afternoon with the change coming only a few days after the announcement of the signing of Finn Tero Aarnio who replaced Rusty Harrison.

It means that Comets will be back up to a seven-man team when they take on Somerset on Friday. Denham said: “I expected Gary to be up around seven to nine points at home with the amount of times he has ridden the track.

“However, he has not done that and admitted himself that he has not improved like he should have so regrettably I had to make the decision to try something different.

“It was a tough decision and I have got a lot of time for Gary as I brought him here. I don’t like doing these things but a lot of the time you have got to. He was not up to speed and not getting the points but there is always another year.”

It is hoped that Irving will be able to find a new team spot quickly which could be with parent club Scunthorpe.

Denham has gone with Morris who rides for Dudley in the National League but has had spells with both Edinburgh and Leicester in previous years.

Morris, 18, is the former British under-15 champion and will come straight into the side at reserve alongside Kyle Howarth.

Denham said: “We have got to move forward and think of the future and sometimes you have got to change to keep on improving.

“Ashley is a team mate of Adam Roynon’s, second in their averages and has first class equipment so should gel in well.

“You have got to go with the young lads to try and push on.

“We will give Ashley a go on the track during the week and we will hope Adam can look after him and coach him a bit.

“The change will hopefully move us forward.”

Meanwhile fellow new signing Aarnio will also be in Workington this week to have a spin at Derwent Park before Saturday’s home match against Redcar.

Aarnio has moved up to the area and has also been given a workshop at Thomas Armstrong.

First published at 11:31, Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk