Speedway: Jonasson looks like he might stay a bit longer

Published on Wednesday 15 July 2009 10:09

SUPER Swede Thomas H Jonasson could extend his short-term stay with Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs.

Jonasson put the brakes on his UK speedway career last month and left the Capital speedway outfit in the lurch when he quit the club.

Their failure, so far, to find a permanent replacement for him prompted Jonasson to ride to the rescue last week when he offered to undertake four meetings for Monarchs.

Jonasson returned for Saturday's Premier Trophy semi-final visit at Scunthorpe and his eight-point score helped Monarchs to a 46-44 first-leg victory.

More importantly, Jonasson's ten-point haul at Newport Wasps on Sunday enabled Monarchs to pick up their first away win in the Premier League this season.

Jonasson is scheduled to face Somerset Rebels at Armadale on Friday before completing his tour of duty at Stoke Potters the following evening.

But Monarchs chairman Alex Harkess today hinted Jonasson could be agreeable to ride more matches.

Harkess said: "Thomas is riding on Friday and Saturday and we will speak to him after that.

"It is a possibility he could stay with us a bit longer, although I'm not saying it is going to happen.

"It is down to his frame of mind. I know he has been very happy the last couple of nights.

"And he might be happy over the next couple of nights, who knows?"

Jonasson's inclusion has invested the Monarchs squad with some much-needed balance, and Harkess naturally would like to keep him on board, especially with a glut of away matches looming this month and next.

"We only discussed the four meetings and we haven't as yet talked about an extension to that," added Harkess.

"But Thomas could do more meetings providing he flies up and down the country like a yo-yo. And here lies the problem. If he has a couple of bad meetings, which he has done in the past, the head goes down and suddenly the travelling becomes a problem.

"And we couldn't tolerate that situation again.

"Thomas has nothing on this week because the World Team Cup is on. But his long-term future with us has never been in doubt.

"Next year he won't be involved in under-21 commitments and probably won't be riding as much in Poland either.

"So it's a different ball game and we have to bear that in mind."

Harkess, meanwhile, is pleased with the contributions from new reserve star Byron Bekker.

The 22-year-old South African, signed on loan from Scunthorpe, picked up two points against his old teammates, and replicated that score against Newport.

Bekker made his debut at home against King's Lynn on Friday and his four points were priceless in sealing a 46-45 win for Monarchs in a nailbiter of a contest.

Harkess said: "Byron is keen and very enthusiastic and if he keeps plugging away he'll get better.

"He came in on a three-point average and is not going to be a superstar overnight, but we are not looking for anything major at reserve."

Harkess also revealed if Jonasson cannot be persuaded to ride on, then William Lawson, who was axed by Berwick Bandits, could come into the reckoning.

However, at least six clubs, including Birmingham and Glasgow, are keen to snap the Perth rider up.

Monarchs' European fishing expedition to unearth a middle order signing is now seen as a smokescreen and Harkess added: "William is our own asset and with his new average for this season he fits in. His average is lower than six of our team with the exception of Byron.

"William would certainly make us stronger at Armadale, but do we need to be stronger at home?

"We need to pick up away wins. And there will be tracks that William is better on than others – we shall see."