Last updated 21:25, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

WORKINGTON Comets are sweating on the fitness of top rider Daniel Nermark after a crash at Rye House on Monday.

Nermark suffered a hand injury when he went through the safety fence and was forced to withdraw from the meeting after taking just three of his rides.

The Swede had only scored three points from his first two outings – he won his first race – and was excluded after the fall.

Team manager Ian Thomas said: “We’re not sure as to the extent of the injury and are just keeping everything crossed that there’s nothing broken. We thought he’d got away with it but after five minutes he was in pain and a swilling started to appear. One paramedic suggested he should go straight to hospital as it might be a scaphoid injury.

“He lives in the midlands so was going to hospital there to get checked out, although we have found in the past that sometimes nothing can be done with an X-ray examination until the swelling goes down.”

Nermark was due to complete a hectic four days of speedway by riding in Sweden on Tuesday night. He had ridden for the Comets on Saturday and Monday, in between flying to Poland and back for a match on Sunday.

Nermark has been outstanding since joining the Comets this season and has already chalked-up a series of full maximums.

Workington, who had beaten the Rockets 46-44 at Derwent Park on Saturday were beaten 52-40 at Hoddesdon in the return.

Thomas said: “Considering we lost Daniel after three rides, and he only scored three points it wasn’t a bad effort.

“I’m sure if he had stayed fit and firing we would have been in contention.”

New second string Barry Burchatt received special praise from Thomas when he scored four points and a bonus.

“He rode very well and was worth more than that. He was actually leading the race when Nermark fell off and it had to be re-run,” said Thomas.