Nicki Pedersen has revealed how a kickabout with a football convinced him he was not fit for speedway.

The Danish champion misses Eastbourne Eagles' trip to Arena-Essex tonight as he recovers from a crash last week.

Pedersen has been suffering from headaches and pulled out of matches for Eastbourne on Saturday and Monday as well as Smederna's fixture at VMS Elit in Sweden yesterday.

His place is taken by another former world champion, Belle Vue's Jason Crump, at Purfleet tonight.

Pedersen is aiming for the final Grand Prix of the season, in Italy on Saturday.

He said: "I've been having a lot of headaches. I've never really had this sort of problem before.

"I'm trying to be a bit careful so I don't end up like a lot of other riders who have long-term problems.

"I'm taking pills and trying to do nothing but it's hard because this is a busy time of the year.

"I tried kicking a ball against against a wall ten times on Sunday and I felt dizzy.

"Hopefully I'll be ready for the Grand Prix. I'll try to fly down.

"But it's really frustrating not being able to help my teams."

In Pedersen's absence, his Polish team Zielona Gora have suffered relegation after losing in Gdansk and Eagles have seen their play-off hopes put in jeopardy.

Victory tonight would be worth three points, given they beat Arena-Essex in the home fixture.

Poole, Eagles' rivals for the final play-off spot, host Ipswich tonight needing a seven-point win for the bonus.

Eagles visit Coventry and Poole go to Swindon on the last night of the regular season tomorrow.

Eastbourne now need two wins and favours elsewhere if they are to earn the dubious honour of a trip to Belle Vue in the play-offs.

Promoter Jon Cook's comments after Monday's defeat at Oxford suggested he is already pondering the draw for the first round of the Craven Shield, which does not include play-off teams.

Eagles beat Arena 56-37 in the corresponding B fixture at Arlington.