Peter Carr's injury appears to be more serious than first thought.
He fell coming out of the third bend on the opening lap of heat nine at Workington when ahead. He hit the fence and was taken to hospital.
He was released after precautionary x-rays revealed only bruising and has returned home to recuperate.
The early information suggested that he would be fit for the first competitive fixture versus Newcastle this Friday. Later stories have cast some doubt on this and suggested that he is 'extremely doubtful'. It is now a matter of wait and see.
Aside from the injury problems, Peter's bike was badly bent. With this coming on top of an expensive engine blow up last Friday, it has not been a happy season start for Peter.
If Peter is not fit for the Newcastle National Trophy fixture, Monarchs have two options to go with rider replacement or use a guest.
The problem with getting a guest is finding one on the right average. Many of the 'usual suspects' such as Mick Powell and Paul Bentley are not eligible because they have an average higher than Peter. Jesper Olsen is riding for the opposition and Scott Lamb has been out injured for a while and isn't really an Armadale specialist. The best bet might prove to be Brent Werner who always rides Armadale well. Alternatively there is Craig Watson of Newport or Paul Pickering of Stoke.
Rider replacement is rarely a good option for first heat leader. This would give extra rides to James Grieves, Kevin Little, Ross Brady, and Ross Brady!
Newcastle will be expected to provide stiff opposition. Few ride Armadale better than Robert Eriksson and Jesper Olsen. David Walsh should also go well as the track suits his style. Paul Gould certainly knows his way around Armadale as does Steven Jones. Newcastle will probably be the hardest match of the three home Premier National Trophy qualifying matches.