Carter breaks leg, Cooper returns.

The 'Lincs FM' Scorpions trophy aspirations have been dealt a massive blow after their number one rider and captain, Wayne Carter, was told he is likely to be out of action for twelve weeks with a spiral fracture of his left leg.

The news effectively ends the 35-year old rider's season and with the Scorpions still going for trophies on four fronts the loss of their inspirational leader is something that can never just be measured by point-scoring alone.

Rather bizarrely the injury occurred nearly three weeks ago when the ' Lincs FM' Scorpions rode at home to Mildenhall on 31st July. The initial diagnosis was damaged ligaments and after a fortnight's rest Wayne returned to ride at Rye House on Saturday, before aggravating the injury in last night's one-point win at Cleveland.

A further hospital visit finally ordered x-rays to be taken and the fracture was spotted. Wayne suddenly found himself up to his thigh in plaster but the cast has since been replaced with a shorter one.

News on Mike Pickering, who was also injured at Cleveland last night, is rather sketchier but it seems he too may have a period out of the saddle after suffering ligament damage.

Paul Cooper, an elite grass track racer, former track record holder around the Scunthorpe Raceway and reserve for the Premier League Sheffield Tigers has re-signed for the 'Lincs FM' Scunthorpe Scorpions. Paul had been part of the squad earlier this year but never actually rode for the team. He was released from the squad for a while but has asked to be included again.

The paperwork was submitted earlier this week and he is eligible to ride for the club from today, Friday 25th August and with the news of Wayne Carter's injury the signing couldn't have been better timed.

Paul will wear a Scorpions body colour for the very first time on Monday when he replaces Carter in the Conference League Pairs. He will partner Benji Compton, a pairing that have ridden at reserve for Sheffield all season. Cooper will not be able to cover for Carter in all Scorpions meetings due to his other racing commitments but like Carter, he certainly has the ability to score double figures in any meeting.

The Conference League Pairs meeting, one of the league's flag-ship meetings, takes place for the very first time at the Scunthorpe Raceway on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August, at 3pm.

A large crowd is expected and a lot of work is being put in to ensure the stadium looks at it's best and the racetrack provides the crowd with, what regulars come to expect at Scunthorpe, some of the very best speedway racing in the country.