Kim Nilsson is unlikely to be fit when Eastbourne Eagles start the new speedway season later this month. He was badly injured while training in America and suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck and back.

Team manager Trevor Geer said: “We hope he will be fit to race again at the beginning of May. That is what he is aiming for but we must ensure he is fully fit before we bring him in.”

Geer is considering how to cover for Nilsson’s absence but confirmed Timo Lahti had been spoken to.