(SPEEDWAY 1)WOLVERHAMPTON star Adam Skornicki is a major doubt for the top-four Elite League clash at Peterborough on Thursday.Skornicki aggravated a knee problem when performing one of his trademark donut celebrations during Monday's Knockout Cup win over Coventry.It is a second injury concern in quick succession for the Monmore men, as Nicolai Klindt missed the Coventry match with a shoulder injury, and the club are waiting to hear if he will be fit for the trip to the Showground.Wolves owner Chris Van Straaten said: "Adam has hurt the same knee which he seriously injured at the end of last season which is a major blow."He's in a lot of pain and obviously it's a worrying time. He will seek specialist advice in Sweden and report back to us."

(SPEEDWAY 2)SWINDON boss Ronnie Russell has warned that the Robins cannot afford another home slip-up when they face Coventry on Thursday.The Bees, managed by ex-Swindon boss Alun Rossiter, gained a shock win at Blunsdon earlier in the season, but the home side are still chasing a top four place.Russell said: "We know first-hand what a stern threat Coventry pose after Alun Rossiter's side notched a victory at Blunsdon earlier in the year. With that in mind, we'll have to perform strongly from the outset on Thursday as we target maximum league points."I'm sure it will be another tough fifteen heats of action. We need the fans be our eighth man on the night by creating a fantastic atmosphere on the terraces."Our late July and early August period will prove crucial in the final reckoning, but the Play-Off charge is on and we want our loyal supporters to be an integral part of it!"Turnstiles will open at the earlier time of 6pm as Swindon skipper Leigh Adams will be signing copies of his recently released biography "The Book."

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RYE House Cobras No.1 Jamie Smith has received bad news on his knee injury and is likely to be out until September.Smith crashed at Scunthorpe earlier this month and after doctors initially recommended rest, subsequent x-rays have revealed the need for keyhole surgery.Manager John Sampford said: "I really feel for Jamie; he is surely the unluckiest rider in the sport when it comes to injury. It's also a double whammy for us as a team. Not only are we likely to be missing Jamie until into September but his average will be changing. "We have him at 10.34 for our home matches against both Bournemouth and Newport (July 31st), but then he will slip to just below nine on August 1st, which will restrict the number of opportunities we will have for a guest."(SPEEDWAY 4)LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook heaped praise on former Coventry man Stuart Robson after he scored 17-points for Lakeside in their hard fought 49-41 Elite League win over the Bees.Robson, who suffered serious injuries before signing for the Hammers, rolled back the years with a series of stunning rides.Said Cook: "That win was Robbo's as much as the teams and his Heat 4 ride to pass both Bees riders was the best of the season no doubt!"(SPEEDWAY 5)

DARCY Ward scored his maiden paid maximum at Elite League level to help Poole to their aggregate victory over Belle Vue.The Pirates trailed by 10-points from the first leg but turned around that deficit at Wimborne Road with a 57-35 win on the night.Ward was unbeaten from five rides and with Bjarne Pedersen and Chris Holder winning three races apiece, it was a convincing display by the home side to move into the semi-finals.Poole promoter Matt Ford said:"Darcy rode superbly for us and he thoroughly deserved the maximum. I am really pleased for him as he has been through a tough time of late. "His performance tonight certainly kept us on the right track, but I will add that it wasn't a one-man show by any stretch of the imagination."Yet again it was a very good team effort. I've said it before and I make no apologies for repeating it, that this Poole side is a very special team indeed."(SPEEDWAY 6)NEWPORT will have talented young Swede Robin Aspegren back in their side for the visit of Scunthorpe on Sunday.The Wasps have moved to re-declare with Aspegren, who made a good impression during a recent spell in the team, in the line-up because Anders Mellgren is once again on the injury list.Team manager Kevin Brown said: "Robin may be a newcomer to British Speedway but he scored heat wins away as well as at home in his first weekend over here and showed what a prospect he is. "The Newport fans were on their feet when he came around for his laps of honour and no doubt he will have a great reception from them when he is introduced on parade on Sunday."

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JAMES Wright will defend his Scottish Open title against a strong line-up at Edinburgh on Friday.Wright will face stern competition from 2008 winner and ex-Monarch Rory Schlein, Chris Slabon who recently won the Welsh Open at Newport, and home duo Ryan Fisher and Kalle Katajisto.Two more former Edinburgh men, William Lawson and Thomas H Jonasson, are also included along with Premier League big-hitters Joe Screen and Jason Lyons.The event will be sponsored by Keyline for the fifth year, and manager Fraser McDowell said: "I always enjoy the Scottish Open, I think it is one of the best individual meetings and it is one in which I feel all of the riders will be trying."As for a winner, well there are several in the frame but I think James Wright and Rory Schlein won't be far away."

(FIXTURES) THURSDAY JULY 22:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Ipswich v Poole 7.30, Eastbourne v Lakeside 7.45, Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Stoke 7.30, Sheffield v King's Lynn 7.45 FRIDAY JULY 23:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Scunthorpe v Newcastle 7.30, Somerset v King's Lynn 7.30 SCOTTISH OPEN: Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Newport v Buxton 7pm, Plymouth v King's Lynn 7.30

SATURDAY JULY 24:PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Redcar 7.30, Workington v Rye House 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Bournemouth 7pm, Weymouth v Plymouth 7.15

SUNDAY JULY 25:PREMIER LEAGUE: Newport v Scunthorpe 2.30 PREMIER TROPHY FINAL 1st leg: Newcastle v Birmingham 6.30 PREMIER TROPHY: Glasgow v Edinburgh 4pm