Team GB boss Neil Middleditch was today urged to take speedway's answer to Wayne Rooney to the World Cup.

But even the biggest fans of the rider in question admit it could be too early for 16-year-old Lewis Bridger to ride in the sport's premier team event.

Bridger has been a sensation so far for Eastbourne Eagles in his debut Elite League season and has clinched a reserve berth at the British Grand Prix a fortnight on Saturday.

He has pulled out of the Team GB Under-21s' World Cup date in Germany two nights later and will instead race for Eagles in their televised meeting at home to Swindon.

Eastbourne promoter Jon Cook reckons Bridger should keep things that way and give the junior team a miss altogether.

Cook said: "There are similarities to football. England at a very early stage decided Wayne Rooney and now Theo Walcott were too good for under-21 level.

"They are good enough to go straight into the senior teams.

"I think it's exactly the same with Lewis Bridger.

"I think the World Cup this season has probably come too soon for him to ride for England "But I hope they allow him to travel with the party to gain experience.

"I know time and time again from talking to (under-21s manager) Peter Oakes that what he hopes for the young British riders is they get as much experience as they can.

"I think Peter should recognise and appreciate the fact that Lewis is really sending out a strong message to all young British riders.

"The Elite League now seems to be the place to be for young riders whereas the Premier League is for jobbing foreigners and veteran English riders.

"Hopefully, the likes of Edward Kennett will get a ride in this league before the season is out "He's the only one missing out now and that's as result of the huge average he has from his spell at Poole."

Eagles star David Norris is likely to be in the Team GB line-up which opens its World Cup campaign in Poland, on July 16.

Unless they can upset the home nation, the Brits are then likely to face a race-off at Reading in a bid to reach the final, also at the Berkshire track.

Last night's three scheduled Elite League fixtures were all rained off.