Shane Hazelden probably expected to get some light-hearted stick at school this week.

The 14-year-old hot prospect returned to classes two months after breaking his right femur in a practice session.

He hobbled through the gates at Beacon Community College in Crowborough on crutches and told mates he had a metal rod holding his right leg in place.

But the young rider, who has already enjoyed a heat win at the Millennium Stadium and finished sixth in the British Under-15 Championship, insists injury will not detract him from his ambition of one day becoming world champion.

Hazelden went flying in a low-key practice session at Sittingbourne as he suffered teething problems with the 500cc bike, having previously mainly ridden 250s.

He had to be rushed back into hospital for a blood transfusion.

That is all part of the hard upbringing for a youngster in one of the toughest sports around.

Hazelden, back at Arlington to watch training last Sunday, said: "I was practising for the first time for six weeks and it was going well.

"Then all of a sudden coming out of the fourth bend the bike lifted. I got it down but it was too late.

"The foot rest dug into the fence, it flipped me over the bike and all I remember is seeing sky.

"I knew straight away I'd broken my leg. It was pain I'd never had before.

"They gave me gas and it seemed alright after that but I was in hospital for about eight days.

"Once I got home I felt really weak and I had no power. I couldn't get up.

"We called 999 and they found out I had lost a lot of blood.

"I had to have a blood transfusion.

"They put about a litre of blood into me which started at midnight and ended next afternoon at 2 o'clock."

So far this term, Hazelden has had work sent home from his school. That was until last Monday when he was back in class among his football-mad mates.

He said: "The kids tend to take the micky a lot of the time because they don't really understand speedway but, to be honest, I don't really care.

"This year I was planning on being in an academy team and getting race-fit but it didn't go to plan.

"I've had about two months off already. Maybe another three months and I'll be able to have my rod out and be training for the end of this season or for next season.

"I've had work sent home but when I go to the track all I want to do is ride."

Eagles are keen to develop more local young riders, making their way up through the engine sizes.

Hazelden has done a lot of racing at 250cc level, including his Millennium Stadium win ahead of last year's British Grand Prix.

But he now knows what the bigger machines are all about.

He said: "It's completely different. It has got more power and, as I've found out, it is not as forgiving as the 250.

"Even when you are practising it's a big risk because you're trying to go quicker. The reason I crashed was I haven't got much experience.

"As I get quicker and older and have more time on a bike I'll be ready.

"The only ambition I have is to be the best rider ever known. I want to be eight-time world champion. I want to be the best."

Which is great. But don't his mum and dad, Sue and Garry, worry a bit?

Sue admitted: "The mother's side of me wants him to take up something like snooker or darts.

"But neither of us would ever stop him doing something he loves so much and something he is gifted at."