Lee Richardson admits he fears a lengthy lay-off after his painful exit from Eastbourne Eagles' televised home defeat.

Richardson crashed out of his second race of the 48-41 setback to Poole on Monday and quickly abandoned an attempt to take his third ride.

Hospital check-ups revealed one broken bone in his right wrist, which he initially injured riding in Poland almost two weeks ago.

That means a two week lay-off but the Eagles skipper has booked an appointment with a specialist fearing there may be worse news to come.

He has been told his scaphoid bone, at the base of the thumb, could be broken and there is a possibility of ligament damage.

As it is, he definitely misses Eagles' series of three matches in three nights coming up later this week, at Ipswich on Thursday, at Lakeside on Friday and at home to Ipswich on Saturday. Eagles will operate rider-replacement in his absence.

Richardson said: "I've broken a bone in my wrist but that's not the main concern. There is a worry the scaphoid is broken.

"I don't know if I did it coming off on Monday or if I did it before and it was just aggravated.

"I was told at hospital to come back in ten days and see a specialist there but that's no good for me. If I get injured I go and see the best specialist I can find as soon as I can.

"If I miss two weeks that's not too bad because I've got a quiet week coming up after Saturday but if it's ligament damage, that's two months out."

Richardson admitted he would not have gone out for his abortive third ride if Eagles had been stronger at reserve.

He also felt the testing nature of the track played a part in fall but said that was more down to the weather than Bob Dugard, who works hard on the Arlington circuit.

The skipper added: "The track was a bit tricky which didn't help. To be fair to Bob, hot weather makes it difficult. There were quite a few incidents.

"I shouldn't have gone our for my next race but I felt I had to.

"I knew there was something seriously wrong. It was horrendous pain."

If Richardson is seriously hurt, he could miss his chance to get back into the World Championship next season. His first qualifying meeting is on June 15, when a place in the semi-final will be at stake.

Eagles star Edward Kennett is already through to the semis as he aims to break into the GP scene for the first time.

Kennett was fourth in his qualifier in Germany, a meeting which ruled him out of the Poole match.

The semis are on July 5, the night Eagles are scheduled to host Coventry in the Elite League.

Eagles racer Lewis Bridger guests for Belle Vue tonight as they visit Poole