Peterborough Panthers’ dreadful run of injuries has continued ahead of their Elite League KO Cup semi-final this week.
All-time great Ryan Sullivan and Polish charger Krzysztof Buczkowski have both been ruled out of the last-four clash against Poole which features a first-leg trip to Dorset on Wednesday (October 24) and a second leg at the East of England Showground 24 hours later on Thursday.
Team boss Jan Staechmann reports that Sullivan aggravated hand and wrist injuries - which were sustained in a crash while on Panthers duty last month - when riding in Poland yesterday (October 21) while Buczkowski has suffered a back injury and broken fingers in a moto-cross crash.
Staechmann said: “Unfortunately Ryan and ‘Buzz’ have both had to throw in the towel for the season.
“Ryan aggravated his injuries when riding in Poland yesterday and that can happen when you are coming back quickly from broken bones.
“I’m not too sure of the exact details concerning Krzysztof’s injuries, but I know he hurt his back and then when he went to see a doctor it was also discovered he has broken some fingers.
“I have never known anything like the problems we have faced with injuries and bad weather during this year.
“They say it never rains but it pours, and I’d go along with that.”
Former Panthers man Mads Korneliussen of King’s Lynn has been booked as a guest for both meetings against Poole.
He replaces Sullivan in the first leg at Poole and then takes the place of Buczkowski at home due to the intricacies of the averages. Panthers will also operate rider replacement on both nights,
Panthers have previously confirmed that Scott Nicholls of Coventry will guest at number one in the away leg on Wedndesday. Panthers’ 2006 title-winning hero Hans Andersen steps in on Thursday.
Panthers asset Rene Bach is named as a reserve guest on both nights for the injured Tomas H. Jonasson. Bach, who started the season as a Peterborough doubling-up rider, races for Workington in the Premier League.
Staechmann also revealed the club will use both doubling-up riders this week. Jason Bunyan gets the nod at Poole with Richard Lawson taking over at Alwalton.
Lawson is receiving regular physiotherapy after dislocating a shoulder in a crash eight days ago, but did manage to ride for Workington in the second tier at the weekend.
Poole are understood to have booked Panthers asset Niels Kristian Iversen as a guest number one for both meetings. He replaces Darcy Ward who was hospitalised after reportedly being attacked outside a pub in Dorset.
If Panthers triumph against Poole they will face Coventry in the final - the first leg of which is scheduled for Friday (October 26) at Brandon Stadium.
Panthers are still working on a date for the home leg of the final in the event of it being required.
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