Talented new Dane for Scorpions

FLUIDAIR POWER Scunthorpe Scorpions, supported by Henderson Insurance, have pounced to make another new signing, with 17-year-old Danish prospect Andreas Lyager set to make his debut for the Scorpions in the home clash against Redcar at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (7.30pm).

Subject to BSPA approval, Lyager will come in for the injured Ben Wilson, who is out for the rest of the season with a broken pelvis. The Dane will come in on an assessed 7.00 average.

Lyager is a product of the excellent Danish 85cc scene, which has produced countless quality riders and is a major reason why Denmark – along with Poland – are one of the two strongest speedway nations in the world.

Earlier this season, the youngster won an open meeting in Norden, Germany, beating home favourite Max Dilger into second place. He has also had outings in Poland and for the Danish national youth side.

His introduction comes just a week after 19-year-old Czech Republic international Zdenek Holub came into the Scorpions’ side to replace another injured rider, Josh Auty. It’s difficult to find new riders at this point of the season, so all credit to the Scunthorpe promotion for producing a rabbit out of the hat not just once, but twice.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “Andreas is mad keen to ride for us, and we’ve decided to give him a chance.

“It’s worth pointing that the lad is only 17, so we’re not going to heap loads of pressure onto his shoulders.

“It was great when Zdenek Holub scored paid double figures last Friday against Newcastle, including a win and a paid win, on his first-ever appearance at the Eddie Wright Raceway last Friday. And those really were his first laps as well; there wasn’t a chance for him to practice beforehand.

“Andreas is a couple of years younger than Zdenek, so we can’t expect him to score double figures straight away. Who knows he might, but we do need to give him time to adjust to British Speedway. Andreas has got the rest of the season to gain a bit of experience on British tracks and whatever he scores is a bonus.

“A massive plus is that Andreas coming into the side pushes Alex Davies down to reserve, alongside Nike Lunna, which gives us a lot of strength at reserve for our remaining six meetings.”

Lyager’s signing should have given Scunthorpe a full seven man team, but that’s no longer the case, following Ryan Douglas’s season-ending crash at Sheffield last Thursday.

Godfrey adds: “That was a massive blow for us; and even more of a blow for poor Ryan, who has had no luck at all with injuries this year.

“Ryan had his operation last Friday, and had a rod inserted into his femur.

“It wasn’t a massive off for Ryan, he just came off the bike the wrong way and that did the damage. A few heats later, Zdenek really smacked the air fence, and yet – thankfully – he was absolutely fine.

“I admit after Ryan’s injury on Thursday, I had a sleepless night, because I was worried how we would cope for the rest of the season. The performance from the whole team against Newcastle last Friday (resulting in a 54-38 victory for Scunthorpe) was a massive relief and reassured me we had gone down the correct route with the team.”

Godfrey has also praised club asset and former Scorpions’ captain Ashley Birks, whose own season with Sheffield was also cut short through injury.

“Ashley Birks has again proved he is a top man, by keeping Ryan company in the hospital and keeping up Ryan’s spirits.”

Scunthorpe’s objective is to try to avoid finishing an injury-plagued season in bottom place of the Premier League.

Following Redcar’s heavy defeat at Glasgow on Sunday, the Scorpions head into Friday’s bottom-of-the-table clash with the Bears at the Eddie Wright Raceway, knowing that a victory by seven points or more would haul them above the Bears in the table on race points difference, with both clubs then having three remaining home fixtures.