WELCOME to the latest news from the BSPA, featuring items on all nine competing teams in the Elite League.
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE'S unlucky reserve Steve Boxall is facing more time out of action with the shoulder injury he initially sustained at the end of March.
Aces chief David Gordon said: "Steve saw a specialist in France last week and we had hoped he would then have an operation. But, instead, he was sent for a second opinion and still hasn't had an operation.
"It appears now that a ligament has snapped and pulled away a piece of bone so we just don't know how long he'll be out."
COVENTRY owner Allen Trump says the club still have plenty to go for this season after an inconsistent run of results so far.
Trump said: "I feel we are turning the corner, and that will continue when Olly Allen comes back from injury and he's scoring his nine points at home.
"We've made the Craven Shield Final, which was a big high against Poole in the semi, and Lakeside won't catch us again like they did in our last home meeting. I believe we have a lot to look forward to."
EASTBOURNE have elected to hold off from making changes having heard that skipper Lee Richardson should be back in action early next month - although co-promoter Bob Dugard admits he is still worried about the Eagles' lower-order strength.
Dugard said: "It's good news about Lee. Our top five have been firing but I am still really concerned we are weak at the bottom end.
"There is not much we can do with the points we have to play with but the lower limit was always going to open up gaps."
IPSWICH skipper Steve Johnston says all at the club will keep their feet on the ground despite a magnificent run of results to take the Witches to the top of the Elite League table.
Johnston said: "The wins we have had on the road have been superb, bearing in mind they haven't been trouble-free. At Wolverhampton we had about five bikes in bits and were all over the place, but we have come through.
"However, it's early days. Let's not get carried away, as there is a long way to go. It's been a superb week and I'm just sorry we are now not at Foxhall for two weeks until we meet Poole on June 9."
LAKESIDE have been relieved to hear that star rider Andreas Jonsson sustained no serious injuries in his horrific crash during the Swedish Grand Prix - and he should be fit to ride for the Hammers in their crunch clash with Poole on Friday.
Co-promoter Jon Cook said: "It seems certain he’ll be riding this week which is remarkable when you reflect on the crash. Everyone held their breath watching it!
"I was relieved in particular to hear that the X-rays showed he had not broken any bones in his back, and he'll ride for us providing he gets through Tuesday in Sweden without any ill effects."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales says the manner of the club's home win over Wolverhampton despite being without broken-leg victim Kenneth Bjerre was their most satisfying of the campaign so far.
Swales said: "We have one of our top riders missing through injury at the moment and that increases the burden on the other lads, but they responded really well.
"I have not been this proud of my riders all season and hopefully it can be the beginning of an upward surge for us."
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is hoping a week's rest will see Australian star Chris Holder fit to return to the Pirates side for important matches against Eastbourne and Lakeside this week.
Ford said: "He really is struggling to breathe properly. When he came back to the pits and got off his bike last Wednesday he couldn't even lift his leg. So he'll take the complete week off and hope that does the trick.
"There is nothing else he can do because there isn't anything broken. It is just time that will heal this. A week's grace might just be what he needs."
SWINDON co-owner Gary Patchett says the club will not contemplate making panic moves after seeing their unbeaten home record smashed by Poole last week.
Patchett said: "I can't tell you that we will or won't change things, just that we might. What we won't do is change for change sake.
"There's no point unless what you do is a step in the right direction and improves what you already have. The gulf between the two sides was vast on Thursday, but we both know that wasn't a true reflection of our own side's ability."
WOLERHAMPTON star Niels Kristian Iversen is desperate to be back in action for the Danish Grand Prix on June 14.
Iversen suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Swedish GP at the weekend and has been told he needs a month off.
But he said: “Copenhagen is my target. I’m so sorry about this injury, I know it’s come at a bad time for Wolverhampton.”
