Every cloud has a silver lining. Even the ones that washed out Eastbourne's important Elite League matches at home to Poole and away to Wolverhampton.

In their case, it could mean that Mark Loram does not miss a league match while he recovers from the smash at Oxford which left him with a dislocated ankle and ligament damage.

The Wolves match has been rearranged for August 11, and Eagles have no top-flight action until then because of the World Cup.

Loram said: "It's a bit early to say whether I will be fit by then, but it's a possibility.

"At the moment, my leg is still black and blue, and it hurts a lot. The ligaments will probably take longer to heal than the ankle."

Edward Kennett, who suffered a hairline fracture of the left leg in a crash at Reading on the same night, will know next week how long he is likely to be out of action.

He is due to see Brian Simpson, who specialises in speedway injuries and is also treating Loram.

Both Loram and Kennett expect to be riding again soon, but Daniel Giffard, who broke both ankles and a wrist in a horror smash at Stoke, is definitely out for the rest of the season.

The rearranged match with Poole will now be Eastbourne's last fixture of the regulation league season. It has been fixed for Monday, September 1.