Bad blow for Panthers as Nicholls is hurt in crash

Scott Nicholls is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The seven-time British champion was hurt in a heat 13 crash while guesting for SGB Championship rivals Ipswich in their defeat at Glasgow last night (September 4).

Nicholls will undergo surgery in Scotland today and looks set to miss much of the rest of a season in which Panthers are chasing title glory as well as still being involved in two knockout competitions - the SGB Championship Shield and the KO Cup.

Panthers team boss Carl Johnson said: “It’s really disappointing for the club to lose our number one just when he was hitting such good form.

“But I’m even more gutted for Scott to get injured at such an important stage of the season:

“He has played a big part in leading us to the top of the table and we just hope his operation is successful and his recovery is quick.

“Hopefully we will see him back in Panthers colours soon.”

Panthers host fellow play-off contenders Berwick in their final home meeting of the regular league season this Sunday (September 9).

They will be entitled to draft in a guest for the injured Nicholls or could opt to use the rider replacement facility.

The loss of Nicholls is slightly offset by the return of Ulrich Ostergaard after almost two months out with broken ribs.