Panthers suffer blow as Wilson-Dean ruled out for six months

The New Zealand champion has been ordered to sit out the sport for six months by medical experts after recently undergoing surgery on the shoulder injury which cut short his 2019 season.

It means Wilson-Dean has stepped aside from the city club’s team for the new SGB Premiership season which starts next month.

Writing on Facebook, Wilson-Dean, who had also been set to race for Somerset in the SGB Championship, confirmed: “Last week I finally had the surgery that was a long time coming.

“The good news is the operation seems to have gone well. The surgeon managed to graft the bone and clean it up as well as removing an old screw form a previous op in 2016.

“I’ve already started physiotherapy as well as having treatment from my osteopath.

“But the not so good news is that I’ve been instructed by the surgeon and bone specialist that I can’t be racing bikes for at least the next six months if I want to heal properly.

“After consulting with my friends, family and mentors, I’ve made the decision to listen to the surgeon and to sit out racing for now sothat I can get myself 100 per cent fit.

“It’s been really tough on me – not just physically buy also mentally as well – and the decision wasn’t one I made lightly.

“I have to say thank you to all of my supporters and to my clubs, Peterborough and Somerset, for being so understanding and supportive, and caring about my wellbeing over all other things.

“There is no doubt in my mind that when I get back to racing it will be the best anyone has seen me yet.

“I still have a huge desire to win and, in my mind, this isn’t a step back for me – it’s just another piece of my story on the road to the top.”

Wilson-Dean was due to start the new season at reserve for Panthers and had been tipped to pile up the points.

His withdrawal from their team now means two new riders are still required with the 2020 campaign less than a month away.

Panthers revealed the capture of Grand Prix star Niels Kristian Iversen yesterday to join Hans Andersen, Rohan Tungate, Chris Harris and Michael Palm Toft.

Popular Danish racer Ulrich Ostergaard has been tipped with a return while club chiefs have revealed they could draft in a newcomer to British speedway to build up their asset base.