Sergei Darkin is set to ride in the Brighton Bonanza, just three months after a horror crash which sparked fears for his life.

Darkin, now recovering from the smash in Russia which caused broken ribs and collarbone and a punctured lung and left him in a coma for several days, will ride at the Brighton Centre on Sunday, December 11.

Bonanza promoter Jon Cook revealed how the thought of racing in the popular winter event, and a promise made to fellow Russian star Vladimir Dubinin, helped Darkin on the road to recovery.

Dubinin joined Darkin, whose contract is owned by Eastbourne Eagles, on a trip to Brighton last winter and was captivated by the event and the city.

Cook said: "They drove over from Russia and did a tour of Europe.

"Vladimir had never been to England and he loved Brighton.

They went on the pier, did the whole tourist thing. He was like a kid in a sweet shop.

"Sergei said after the event he would be back and I said 'Why doesn't Vladimir do it as well?'

"That made Vladimir's day. They have been talking about it all year. I think the thought of coming over has been something for him to aim at during his recovery."

Cook would have invited Darkin as a guest even if he had not been fit to ride.

But it now appears the rider, who has been on loan at Arena-Essex but could return to Arlington next year, will use the event for his riding comeback.

The Bonanza also sees the professional debut of Bexhill wonderboy Lewis Bridger, who is being tipped as a potential world champion in some quarters.

Other entrants include Poole's Edward Kennett, Coventry's Billy Janniro, Arena's Roman Povazhny, Wolves duo Krzysztof Pecyna and Ronnie Correy and Americans Bobby Schwartz and Chris Kerr, who is the latest hot prospect from the States.

Eastbourne's Oliver Allen is returning from a trip to Australia in time to ride and Martin Dugard is likely to make a comeback.

Tickets are on sale from brightonbonanza.co.uk. Meanwhile, Oxford have secured their immediate Elite League future after Aaron Lanney took over as the club's owner.

The main transfer of the winter so far has seen Hans Andersen, who rode for Ipswich on loan from Poole last year, join Peteborough for a five-figure fee.

Grand Prix stars Jason Crump and Leigh Adams have signed new deals keeping them at Belle Vue and Swindon respectively.