Hammers skipper injured

4:48pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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THE Lakeside Hammers captain, Adam Shields, was injured in a crash in Sweden on Tuesday evening whist racing for his Swedish side Rospiggarna.

It has now been confirmed that Shields dislocated his shoulder in a crash in his final race.

Rospiggarna were competing at Indianerna in Sweden's top league and Shields had already been instrumental in helping his side move into a match winning position.

He had scored 11 points from his four rides but in his final race he took a fall and was unable to take his place in the re-run. Despite that Rospiggarna recorded an away win by just two points.

The Hammers captain is now back in England recovering, but at this stage it is uncertain whether he will be fit enough to take his place in the Lakeside team for their away Sky Sports Elite League matches at Coventry next Monday and Swindon next Thursday. The Hammers next home meeting is not until Friday May 16, when Eastbourne will be the visitors.

The Hammers co-promoter and team manager Jon Cook who received the news of the injury direct from the rider was disappointed to hear of the news.

He said: "I was gutted to hear the news from Adam following his crash in Sweden last night when he confirmed that he had dislocated his shoulder.

"At least we don't have a meeting at home this Friday so it will give him a few extra days to recover. At the moment we haven't made a decision about whether he will be able to race for us at Coventry next Monday as we will review the situation a lot nearer the time."

Cook continued: "Adam has been riding really well this season, not only for the Hammers but also for Rospiggarna in Sweden and Leszno in Poland.

"Next week is a busy week for the Hammers as we have three Elite League fixtures. In addition to our trip to Coventry on Monday we go to Swindon on Thursday before our next home meeting on Friday 16th May against Eastbourne. Adam will be keen not to miss these important fixtures, especially the home match against the Eagles as we were both involved with the Sussex club until last season. However, I need to be satisfied that Adam is fit before he returns to our side and that he does not attempt to come back too early."