Injured Eastbourne star Simon Gustafsson has set himself a deadline of June 1 to be back in action.

The high-scoring 18-year-old Eagles reserve suffered a broken collarbone in a smash in the Swedish top flight on Tuesday.

He was allowed home later that evening but has been ruled out of racing for between four and six weeks.

His absence is a potentially massive setback to Eagles’ encouraging Elite League campaign, which continues at Lakeside Hammers tomorrow (8pm).

Recently signed No. 8 Chris Schramm is available for the trip to Essex as well as Monday’s televised home clash with high-flying Swindon Robins.

Gustafsson was leading a race for Indianerna when he was clipped by Chris Holder in the defeat at champions Lejonen, for whom Davey Watt top-scored.

The young Swede has absolved Holder of blame for the collision on a difficult track but admits he is disapointed to be sitting out several weeks of what has so far been an excellent season.

Gustafsson said: “Of course I want to be back as early as I can but not too early.

“If you do that and something stupid happens you might be out for another six weeks.

“I’ll wait three weeks and see what’s happening and how I’m feeling.

“I’ve got my world under-21 team qualifier in Germany on June 1 and I expect that will be my first meeting back.”

Gustafsson felt well enough to travel to Norkopping last night with his father Henka, who was due to race for his new club Rospiggarna in the Elitserien.

The Eagles No. 7 said: “I’m on painkillers and I feel all right generally.

“I can’t complain about anything this season so far.

“My starts have been working really well, my engines have been good.

“I will try and keep that standard up and come back fitter and faster.”

Gustafsson’s injury, while a blow in the short term, also has potentially serious longer-term implications for Eastbourne.

The club are anxious for their young star to race 12 league meetings, of which at least five must be at home, to qualify for a new and more realistic average.

Until he gets that far, they can only replace him with their No.8 or a National League guest when he is away on an international commitment or, as now, injured.

The signing of Schramm has proved to be timely in terms of damage limitation, although he is unlikely to bring in the points Gustafsson would have managed.

Eagles will now look to Ricky Kling to provide a boost from the reserve berths at Lakeside against his parent club.

The Hammers are not without problems of their own for this second cross-Thames derby of the current league campaign.

They were hoping to bring in Tomasz Jedrzejak in place of injured Joonas Kylmakorpi tomorrow.

However the Polish rider is unwell, forcing Lakeside to stick with rider-replacement.

Top pair Lee Richardson and Adam Shields, both former Eastbourne heat leaders, are ineligible to take a ride for Kylmakorpi, who has a broken elbow.