Post by admin on Jul 12, 2008 8:51:21 GMT 12
CORY RULED OUT - TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT SOUGHT...
The Wightlink Islanders management have now learnt that young Australian Cory Gathercole is likely to be out of action for at least a month as a result of the hand injury he sustained as a result of his crash in the first heat of Tuesday's home league win over Scunthorpe.
A temporary plaster cast was fitted when he visited his local hospital accident and emergency unit and, following consultation with a specialist yesterday (Thursday), he will now undergo an operation tomorrow to wire up the broken bones in his left hand at the bottom of his thumb.
"The specialist told me that is the best option," he said this morning, " and that I'll be unable to ride a speedway bike for four to five weeks with it being at least four weeks until the wires can come out, assuming the bones have knitted together at that point. I'm gutted that this has happened but it has and I've just got to deal with it as best I can but I can assure everyone I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can be."
Faced with having to do without the popular young Aussie for such a length of time, the the club's management are exploring the possibility of bringing in a temporary replacement to cover for him whilst he is sidelined.
"It's a big blow to us losing Cory's services for such a length of time at this stage of the season," commented co-promoter Dave Pavitt, "and naturally we all hope that he regains full fitness as soon as possible.
"We've assessed the situation and have come to the conclusion that operating the rider replacement regulations, which would mean his programmed riders could be shared amongst the remaining team members with the exception of Glen Phillips whose average is too high, would put too much pressure on them.
"Consequently we are exploring several ideas we have in mind with regards to bringing in a new rider to cover for Cory on a temporary basis until the medics give him the all clear that he can resume racing and hopefully one of those leads will come off and we can reveal a new signing in the near future."
TOUGH TASK AT WORKINGTON...
The Wightlink Islanders head north to Workington tomorrow (Saturday) for their latest away Premier League match, do so of course, without the injured Cory Gathercole and with it not being possible to bring in a replacement for him at such short notice, hopes of them picking up an away win must be regarded as slim.
The Comets are currently third in the league table and are yet to suffer defeat in the league this year on their home Derwent Park circuit so no one would expect the Wightlink Islanders, without Gathercole, to break that sequence.
Nevertheless skipper Jason Bunyan and his men are determined to give it their best shot on the basis that, as the saying goes, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
CLUB AGM...
The club's Annual General Meeting will take place in the Premier Bar at the stadium on Thursday July 24 commencing at 7.30pm. All shareholders are invited to attend.
SCOTTISH ROYALTY NEXT AT SMALLBROOK...
The strong looking Edinburgh Monarchs side are the Wightlink Islanders opponents in the next home fixture at Smallbrook this coming Tuesday commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm. And we certainly won't be taking their challenge lightly for they have already picked up three away wins and a draw so far this season as well as maintaining an unbeaten home record.
"This will be our toughest match so far this season without a doubt," said Islanders team manager David Croucher, "especially as we are now without Cory (Gathercole).
"We are fully aware though that we cannot afford to lose this one and, as the lads showed against Scunthorpe on Tuesday, they are more than capable of finding that little bit extra when they run into problems.
"It promises to be a great match and I would urge our fans to turn out in force to cheer the Wightlink Islanders on to what will hopefully be a vital win."
The Wightlink Islanders management have now learnt that young Australian Cory Gathercole is likely to be out of action for at least a month as a result of the hand injury he sustained as a result of his crash in the first heat of Tuesday's home league win over Scunthorpe.
A temporary plaster cast was fitted when he visited his local hospital accident and emergency unit and, following consultation with a specialist yesterday (Thursday), he will now undergo an operation tomorrow to wire up the broken bones in his left hand at the bottom of his thumb.
"The specialist told me that is the best option," he said this morning, " and that I'll be unable to ride a speedway bike for four to five weeks with it being at least four weeks until the wires can come out, assuming the bones have knitted together at that point. I'm gutted that this has happened but it has and I've just got to deal with it as best I can but I can assure everyone I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can be."
Faced with having to do without the popular young Aussie for such a length of time, the the club's management are exploring the possibility of bringing in a temporary replacement to cover for him whilst he is sidelined.
"It's a big blow to us losing Cory's services for such a length of time at this stage of the season," commented co-promoter Dave Pavitt, "and naturally we all hope that he regains full fitness as soon as possible.
"We've assessed the situation and have come to the conclusion that operating the rider replacement regulations, which would mean his programmed riders could be shared amongst the remaining team members with the exception of Glen Phillips whose average is too high, would put too much pressure on them.
"Consequently we are exploring several ideas we have in mind with regards to bringing in a new rider to cover for Cory on a temporary basis until the medics give him the all clear that he can resume racing and hopefully one of those leads will come off and we can reveal a new signing in the near future."
TOUGH TASK AT WORKINGTON...
The Wightlink Islanders head north to Workington tomorrow (Saturday) for their latest away Premier League match, do so of course, without the injured Cory Gathercole and with it not being possible to bring in a replacement for him at such short notice, hopes of them picking up an away win must be regarded as slim.
The Comets are currently third in the league table and are yet to suffer defeat in the league this year on their home Derwent Park circuit so no one would expect the Wightlink Islanders, without Gathercole, to break that sequence.
Nevertheless skipper Jason Bunyan and his men are determined to give it their best shot on the basis that, as the saying goes, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
CLUB AGM...
The club's Annual General Meeting will take place in the Premier Bar at the stadium on Thursday July 24 commencing at 7.30pm. All shareholders are invited to attend.
SCOTTISH ROYALTY NEXT AT SMALLBROOK...
The strong looking Edinburgh Monarchs side are the Wightlink Islanders opponents in the next home fixture at Smallbrook this coming Tuesday commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm. And we certainly won't be taking their challenge lightly for they have already picked up three away wins and a draw so far this season as well as maintaining an unbeaten home record.
"This will be our toughest match so far this season without a doubt," said Islanders team manager David Croucher, "especially as we are now without Cory (Gathercole).
"We are fully aware though that we cannot afford to lose this one and, as the lads showed against Scunthorpe on Tuesday, they are more than capable of finding that little bit extra when they run into problems.
"It promises to be a great match and I would urge our fans to turn out in force to cheer the Wightlink Islanders on to what will hopefully be a vital win."