Last updated at 19:54, Thursday, 02 August 2012

Workington Comets will be without star reserve rider Kyle Howarth for the rest of the season after his injury at the 50-40 loss at Newcastle on Sunday.

BROKEN: Kyle Howarth hurt in crash at Newcastle

Manager Tony Jackson said he thought that the track at Brough Park was barely rideable and described the meeting as a “nightmare”.

Howarth fractured three bones in his wrist and one in his back. Tero Aarnio and Rene Bach also picked up knocks but were due to be fit to face Redcar last night.

Jackson said at present there were no plans to carry out any operations on Howath and he would be fitted with a body brace for his back.

After the match on Sunday owner Keith Denham referred to Brough Park as “Rough Park” and said it was the worst track he had seen.

Jackson said: “It’s a massive blow. Kyle is irreplaceable.

“He was our trump card at reserve. We are all thinking of him at this moment and wish him a quick recovery.”

Denham added: “Kyle is going to be an absolutely terrible miss.

“We are trying to bring someone in to fill that slot which is very, very difficult.

“We need an experienced rider at Kyle’s average to try and get back on track.

“We might have to go overseas.”

Comets have a busy schedule of meetings with an away match at Scunthorpe tonight and a home meeting against Sheffield tomorrow.

James Holder from the Plymouth Devils was called up as a guest rider against Redcar last night and Mason Campton from Glasgow Tigers has been drafted in for the match against Sheffield.

But Denham said yesterday that they were struggling to find a rider for tonight’s match at Scunthorpe.

He added that the away match at Scunthorpe will be difficult, especially the threat posed by Scunthorpe’s new signing Nick Morris.

Meanwhile, Comets pair Adam Roynon and Richard Lawson, along with former team-mate Craig Cook competed in the British Final in Wolverhampton on Monday night.

Coventry Bees star Scott Nicholls won.

Jackson was full of praise for duo Lawson and Roynon.

He said: “It’s good that Workington had two riders in such a prestigious event.

“I am just pleased that they came away in one piece.”

Roynon and Cook also featured for Great Britain in Wednesday’s 39-53 loss to Australia in Poole.

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 02 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk