Crocked Brent Werner today told Eastbourne Eagles fans: "I'm on the way back."

Eagles' American reserve, out of action since breaking a collar bone in the home win over Wolverhampton on April 8, was back in the pits for the return Elite League A fixture on Monday.

Werner, who lives in Worcester, attended his local Monmore Green track to catch up with Eagles promoter Jon Cook and what remains of the injury-ravaged team.

He reckons he could be back in action in a couple of weeks.

And that could give Eagles a timely boost as they face home matches with Coventry and Ipswich in the second week of May.

Werner said: "I'm holding tight, seeing how things heal.

"It has been just over two weeks now and it feels a lot better.

"There's still a little bit of movement between two bones but it's getting bet-ter and better and in a couple of weeks I won't be far away from action.

"The first week after the crash, I couldn't do anything with it.

"The pain had gone away after a couple of days but I could feel the two bones constantly moving around and it was a bit of a weird feeling.

"In the last few days I've felt quite good. I've got a lot of movement in my shoulder.

"If I go to pick up a bucket or something like that I can feel it a bit but if I progress in the next two weeks like I have in the past two weeks I should be good."

Werner was just getting into his stride when his season came, quite literally, crashing to a temporary halt.

He played a part in the spectacular comeback win at home to Peterborough and felt like he was finding some form after making the switch from Premier League outfit Rye House.

The 32-year-old Californian said: "Frustrating is not the word. We had just got going after a slow start to the season. "I had a race and I won that and I felt really switched on again.

"Before that I'd been off the pace. Then I went back out and had the big one.

"Now I see the boys out there and I feel I'm going to have to play catch up again.

"But I'll be okay. It's only a collar bone. Speedway's speedway.

You just jump on the bike and get on with it."

Andrew Appleton's stint as Werner's stand-in has now ended.

Trevor Harding fills in at No. 6 when Eagles go to Peterborough tomorrow night.

Harding is also on standby for Saturday's home fixture with Swindon in case Cameron Woodward's work permit does not come through in time.

Cook said: "Total thanks and respect to Andrew Appleton.

"I think he has done a sterling job to come in cold to Elite League speedway and score points in every meeting.

"He has averaged over Brent Werner's average, which is all we could have asked from him.

"We are not going to get hung up about Peterborough. Although in the mood we were in at Wolverhampton on Monday, maybe we will surprise ourselves.

"We will get Peterborough out of the way and we'll all hopefully turn up in one piece to take on Swindon on Saturday."