Simon on way back for Eagles (From The Argus)

Simon on way back for Eagles

1:00pm Thursday 28th July 2011 in Eagles news By Brian Owen

Simon Gustafsson is ready to hand Eastbourne a boost by making a rapid return from injury.

The Swede has targeted the visit of Poole a week on Saturday for his Elite League comeback after being told he has cracked, rather than broken, ribs.

Eagles are in need of any help they can get as they see their play-off spot coming under increasing pressure.

They missed out on a point at King’s Lynn last night when the hosts had a 4-2 in heat 15 to win 50-42 and take all the spoils.

Gustafsson was initially told he had broken two ribs when crashing at the World Under-21 Championship final, first leg, last Sunday. However further assessment in Sweden revealed the damage was not as bad as first thought, though he also has sore lungs and spleen.

The 21-year-old plans to ride for table-topping Indianerna in the Swedish League next Tuesday.

Eagles will again operate rider-replacement at Birmingham tonight and in Saturday’s home clash with Swindon (4pm).

That is again likely to mean seven races for reserve Cameron Woodward, who was excellent last night.

The skipper shared in 5-1s in heats 12 and 14 which brought Eagles back within six points and on course for a losing bonus point.

However star home duo Mads Korneliussen and Niels Kristian Iversen gated on a 5-1 in the nominated race and held on for the heat advantage as Bjarne Pedersen and Lewis Bridger pressed.

King’s Lynn: Iversen 13 (5), Korneliussen 11+2 (5), Allen 9+1 (4), K.Bjerre 8+1 (4), L.Bjerre 4 (4), Topinka 4 (4), Sitera 1 (4).

Eagles: Woodward 13+2 (7), Pedersen 9+1^ (5), Bridger 7+1 (5), Kylmakorpi 7+1 (5), Dryml 6+3 (5), Lahti 0 (3), Gustafsson r/r.