Speedway: Cook could ride in vital Ipswich clash

By DAVID KINVIG
Published on 02/10/2012 12:00

Edinburgh MONARCHS speedway bosses haven’t given up hope that Craig Cook might be able to ride in Thursday’s Knockout Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Ipswich Witches at Foxhall Heath Stadium.

Cook ploughed into the safety fence in his comeback match at Scunthorpe Scorpions on Sunday following a five-week lay off with an injured wrist, but fears that he had sustained broken ribs when he tumbled off trying to pass Jason Bunyan have not been confirmed yet.

Monarchs boss John 
Campbell said: “Craig doesn’t know what the position is at the moment. He saw a doctor yesterday but was unable to get final confirmation that he has broken his ribs. He is scheduled to see another doctor later today to be told one way or the other exactly what his injuries are.

“Craig himself thinks it’s 
muscle damage and if that turns out to be the case, then he may be able to ride on.”

Campbell added: “However, Craig is very sore at the moment and certainly cannot contemplate making a judgement over his fitness. It will be a day-to-day thing. Had he been scheduled to race tonight, there is no way he would have been able to manage it.”

Cook said: “I have no idea what damage I’ve done. It feels as if the muscles in my rib cage are stretched. I still feel deflated about Sunday’s crash. I wanted so much to help Monarchs in their bid to win the league, but that might not happen now, it’s a wait-and-see process. I’m 
desperate to ride if I can.”

If Cook is ruled out of 
action, Monarchs will use guest replacements against the Witches and also for the visit of Scunthorpe to Armadale on Friday.