Bandits suffering injury problems

Jul 28 2007 The Journal

BERWICK’S Stanislaw Burza misses tonight’s Premier League meeting at home to Isle of Wight and could be struggling to be fit in time to defend his Scottish Open title next Friday at Edinburgh.

Burza suffered pelvic injuries in a crash in his native Poland earlier this week and another of the Bandits’ Poles, Jacek Rempala, is doubtful for this evening’s action as well.

Newcastle don’t have a home match this weekend but their supporters will be hoping Josef Franc can make his mark on tonight’s Czech Grand Prix and the Marketa Stadium in Prague.

The Marketa is Franc’s home track for his Czech meetings .

He’s one of the two reserves for the sixth round of this year’s World Championship with former diamond Lubos Tomicek competing as the wildcard against the regular 15.

Redcar captain and 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock normally works at every Grand Prix assisting Great Britain captain Scott Nicholls.

But Havelock’s swapping Prague this evening for Derwent Park as the Bears visit Workington in the Premier League.

Both sides continue to struggle with injuries as Josh Auty remains on Redcar’s casualty list.

Workington’s Craig Branney and Mattia Carpenese are both still ruled out from the same accident triggered by Sheffield’s Joel Parsons a fortnight ago.

One of their reserves, Charles Wright, is still recovering from a crash at Glasgow last Sunday.

Former Redcar rider Tomas Suchanek, now with Mildenhall, makes a guest appearance for Workington.

ANDREW DALBY