29 07 10 COMET KILDEMAND OUT INJURED

[Tim]

COMET KILDEMAND OUT INJURED
By Workington Speedway ~ Thursday 29th July 2010
WORKINGTON Comets will be without Danish star Peter Kildemand for at least their next two matches. Kildemand had two falls in last week-end’s Danish Under-21’s championship and although he was able to finish the meeting, has been suffering since. A foot injury got progressively worse and a hospital X-ray examination has revealed damaged ligaments.

Team manager Ian Thomas said: “Peter thought he’d got away with it because he was able to complete the meeting but the pain and discomfort since then has just got worse. He’s been told at hospital that he could be out for up to two weeks so he will definitely miss Saturday’s home match with Glasgow and next Wednesday night’s trip to Birmingham. We will assess the situation ahead of the home match on August 7 against King’s Lynn.”

Workington will use rider replacement for Kildemand, which will probably weaken them, although everyone will be available to take a ride. Last week against Rye House when the Comets raced to their biggest win of the season Kildemand’s four programmed rides only contributed seven points and they would have expected more from, the Dane.

Meanwhile Thomas is waiting to speak to the Edinburgh management about dates for the Premier League Knockout semi-final. That’s not being disrespectful to King’s Lynn but after they lost 56-34 at home to Edinburgh last night it will be virtually impossible for them to come back from that at Armadale a week tomorrow. Comets skipper Chris Schramm had a disappointing return to the Norfolk Arena as a guest at number one and scored only one point – hitting the deck four times during the meeting. He escaped unscathed, however, picking up his point from the final ride and will be fit to resume for the home League match on Saturday against Glasgow Tigers.

Schramm top-scored for the Comets last Saturday with 13 points, his best return at Derwent Park since joining Workington this season. The popular long-distance traveller had a new engine delivered and fitted in time for Saturday’s match and it went like a dream. “I have to admit I didn’t expect it to go quite as well as it did but it was great because we have had all sort of problems finding an engine to do the business around Derwent Park. Whatever we tried just didn’t seem to work. Rest assured I will be going on this engine at Derwent Park for the rest of the season and hope my points returns will be similar to last Saturday.”

Schramm and his team are looking forward to Saturday’s clash with Glasgow Tigers as two former Elite League stars will be lining-up to provide stern tests – Joe Screen and Travis McGowan. Glasgow expect to be at full-strength although there is a concern over Lee Dicken who suffered a collarbone injury last week-end. He was cleared at the hospital of any break but has been feeling stiff and sore this week. A late decision on his fitness will be made.