Lewis Bridger is plotting his assault on a world final after the most troubled fortnight of his young career.

The Eastbourne Eagles star returned from suspension in some style as he helped his club to the final of the Elite League Pairs at busy Arlington on Saturday.

He apologised over the loudspeakers to fans for going AWOL for a recent Eagles meeting and produced some trademark celebration wheelies after his better races.

It seemed like business as usual but Bridger, 19, reckons he has grown up in the last few weeks.

Now he wants to take that into the final of the World Under-21 Championship in October when he must face defending champion Jurica Pavlic on his home track.

Bridger said: “The last couple of weeks I’ve been trying to get myself sorted out.

“The world under-21 final is a huge meeting for me.

“I’m 74 kilos now and I want to be down to 71 or 72 for that meeting in Croatia. I’m looking after myself, watching what I do, watching what I eat. I’m keeping on top of the equipment, not getting too cocky, using my head.

“I went to Wolves last Monday (in the Midlands Open) with something not quite fast enough for the track and I made myself look a little bit silly.

“You learn by your mistakes and next year is a big year for me.”

Bridger believes he and Davey Watt gave Eagles a lift by going so close in the Pairs but has mixed feelings about the final result.

He said: “It was okay. When we got to the final I knew we should have won the meeting.

“I’m sure the meeting looked good on TV and it was even better to be there.

“I’m sure if you had said we would come second to Hans Andersen and Chris Holder and that people like Wolves wouldn’t even make the semis we would have been happy with that.”

Bridger plans to practise in Poland and at the Lydd track in Kent as he awaits Eastbourne’s return to action at Swindon next Thursday.

Title-chasing Wolverhampton visit Arlington a week tomorrow.