Speedway world champion Tai Woffinden suffered a broken wrist or lower arm at Eastbourne tonight.

His hopes of retaining his prized GP title were put under serious threat by a nasty crash as his team Wolverhampton were beaten 55-35.

Woffinden, who is currently second in the GP standings, appeared to pick up grip coming out of bend two before he straightened up.

He went hurtling into the wooden boards along the back straight. No other riders were involved.

Woffinden was on his feet for a couple of seconds, then went down clearly in agony.

Action was held up for about an hour as he was treated.

Woffinden was given gas and air on the track to relieve pain and was eventually taken to the Royal Sussex hospital in Brighton.

Eagles were level at 15-15 when he crashed.

They gradually pulled away from that point and comfortable wrapped up the three points their play-off hopes demanded.

Joonas Kylmakorpi was unbeaten in his last five rides having been passed by Arlington rookie Gino Manzares in his first.

Steve Worrall did a good job at reserve for Eastbourne as he guested for the injured Lewis Blackbird.

Eagles, who move up two places to third in the Elite League, go to Wolverhampton on Monday.

Eagles: Kylmakorpi 14 (5), Pedersen 12+1 (5). Woodward 10+4 (6), Worrall 10+2 (6), Lahti 8+1 (5), Halsey 1 (3), Michelsen r/r.

Wolverhampton: Nicholls 10+1 (6), Tungate 6+1 (4), Manzares 5 (4), Karlsson 5 (6), Jacobs 4 (4), Woffinden 3 (2), Perry 2+1 (4).