Ashley Morris in for Scorpions

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions have signed Ashley Morris as a replacement for Nicolai Klindt – and he will ride for the club at the Eddie Wright Raceway this Sunday, in the League Cup clash against the Peterborough Panthers (start-time 6.30pm).

The 21-year-old Englishman started his career at the Eddie Wright Raceway in 2009, riding for the Scunthorpe Saints in the National League.

Scorpions’ team plans are currently in a state of flux due to the absence of Czech Republic star Zdenek Holub. He injured his shoulder at Peterborough last Friday, and at the time of moment it’s unclear how long he will be on the sidelines. Holub seems to have avoided a break, but still has little movement in his arm.

Klindt was only on a temporary contract until his Polish commitments started, with fellow Dane Andreas Lyager waiting in the wings, ready to come in for Klindt once Holub gained a real average. But Holub’s absence provides a complication, since he has not ridden in a fourth away meeting, required for gaining a real average, and he will stay on his assessed average of 7.00 for a little longer.

Promoter Rob Godfrey explains: “Nicolai Klindt is unavailable to ride on Sunday, due to a Polish commitment, plus he would have been unavailable for quite a few of our forthcoming meetings.

“We knew that Nicolai’s Polish fixtures would be kicking in at this time, and therefore we’ve made the move for Ashley Morris.

“We know Ashley is a quality rider and can come in and do the job that we’re asking from him. He’s a temporary signing, but if he comes in and scores a hatful of points, he can make it impossible for us to drop him.

“Theo Pijper came in as a temporary signing last season, but stayed the whole season.”

Morris’ introduction means that Carl Wilkinson moves up to No 2, rider replacement for Holub to No 5, while Morris slots in at No 6.

Godfrey states: “Once we’ve got a clearer picture of how long that Zdenek is going to be out for, then we can figure out the best way forward. With shoulder injuries, you can either recover very quickly or they can prove to be long-term.

“I can assure our supporters that we are considering every option available to us. If Zdenek is out long term, then Andreas could come in for him.”

As for the meeting itself, Godfrey remarks: “Every time that Peterborough come to Scunthorpe, it seems to be a fantastic meeting. I’m sure everyone remembers last year’s clash, when we turned it around with three 5-1s in the final three races.

“It’s going to be a tough meeting, especially as Peterborough have started the season well. But we’ll be going all out to record our first home win of the season.”

There are 24 heats of action in total on Sunday, with a nine-race second half including a six-heat Midland Development League match between Scunthorpe & Long Eaton.

Admission prices for Sunday:

Adult: £15.00
Student/OAP: £13.00
Child (10 – 17): £5.00
Child (0 – 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)
Family Ticket £35 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-17)
Match Programme: £1.00

Expected teams for Sunday:

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty, 2. Carl Wilkinson 3. Alex Davies, 4. Ryan Douglas, 5. Rider replacement for Zdenek Holub, 6. Ashley Morris, 7. Josh Bailey.

Peterborough Panthers: 1. Ulrich Ostergaard, 2. Simon Lambert, 3. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, 4. Michael Palm Toft, 5. Nickolas Porsing, 6. Emil Grondal, 7. Tom Perry.

Midland Development League teams:
Scunthorpe Stags: 1. Chris Hay, 2. Lloyd Ditchburn, 3. Luke Whitehead, 4. Sam Chapman.
Long Eaton Invaders: 1. Layne Cupitt, 2. TBA, 3. Bradley Andrews, 4. Stephen Whitehouse.