Edward Kennett is staying tight-lipped about his split with Eastbourne Eagles.

Things have gone spectacularly wrong this season for the Sussex teenager hailed as the "wonder kid" when he burst on to the speedway scene.

All that Kennett will say, through a statement issued by the club, is that he now regrets signing up to Eastbourne's Elite League cause.

The 17-year-old, who hit the ground running in the Conference and Premier Leagues with Rye House, has struggled to cope with the step up in class this season, and matters came to a head when he was dropped from his last ride during Monday's win over Ipswich.

He plans to continue riding in Sweden and in the world under-21 championship and is not ruling out a return to lower league racing in this country at a later date.

The club insist they will not consider selling Kennett "under any circumstances," but for the next 14 days he is banned from riding in England because he is deemed to be withholding his services as an Eastbourne rider.

So the Eagles dream, for the time being at least, has ended in tears for the youngster from Magham Down.

The son of one-time Eastbourne star Dave Kennett and nephew of Gordon Kennett, former world No. 2 and the club's all-time record scorer, he only ever wanted to ride for his beloved Eagles.

He started out on the junior track at Arlington Stadium when he was eight years old and was a symbol of the club's future.

He joined Rye House on loan at 16 and in half a season went from a Conference League novice to become the top rider for the Rockets in the Premier League, as well as announcing his arrival on the international stage.

He qualified as first reserve for the world under-21 final after a spectacular effort in Slovenia and was almost certain to get a ride in the final until he suffered a cracked knee-cap and severe ligament damage in a crash at Reading.

Kennett was expected to remain with Rye House for at least another year, and it was a surprise when Eastbourne announced he had signed a full-time contract to ride in the Elite League this season.

Eastbourne boss Jon Cook said at the time: "It is typical of a young rider who is destined for great things."

But it soon became apparent the move into the top flight with Eagles was a leap too far, even for a multi-talented young rider fast-tracking his way through the sport.

Even in a reserve berth, he has been pitched against quality riders like Kelvin Tatum and Antonio Lindback, but what is also probably true is that Kennett has become the innocent victim of a poorly performing Eastbourne team.

With the exception of David Norris, all the other riders have been guilty of inconsistency and under-achieving, which has put extra pressure on Kennett to perform over and above what would have been expected of him at the start of the season.

Cook says the club are disappointed at his decision to quit but they will continue to support him. "Hopefully, this is just a blip in his career," said the Eastbourne boss.

Eagles are currently having talks with an overseas rider in a bid to sign a replacement for Kennett, but in the meantime his place at Oxford tonight and in the home and away matches against Belle Vue tomorrow and on Monday will be taken by Sheffield youngster Andrew Moore.

"He's a brilliant little rider," said Cook.

Tomorrow night's visit of Belle Vue will see the return to Arlington of former Eastbourne favourite Mark Loram, who replaces the injured Nicki Pedersen. Loram also rides at Oxford tonight.

Peter Ljung is back from injury for Eastbourne, while Belle Vue track former Eagles skipper Joe Screen and current world championship leader Jason Crump.