Nermark braces himself to splash the cash!
Last updated 11:50, Tuesday, 19 August 2008
WORKINGTON Comets ace Daniel Nermark has spent over £2,000 on special knee braces in a bid to prolong his career.
Nermark, out of action following an horrific crash at Redcar on July 24, has had to shelve plans to ride for the Comets this week-end.
Instead the 31-year-old Swede will practice and if he comes through that will ride in a Swedish League First Division match next Thursday with a view to returning to the Workington team against Glasgow on August 30.
Nermark has had two knee braces made at a cost of £1,200 each and will be wearing them at the week-end when he practices in Sweden.
Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “There has always been a question of whether Daniel needed an operation. One particular consultant feels he should be ok, while another believes an op is required.
“If he does undergo an operation it will mean he will be out of action for eight months.
“He went to see his surgeon on Monday and I think he’s now decided to try the knee braces and provided he can live with any pain is going to postpone any operation until when he’s finished his racing career.
“We’ll be monitoring his practice sessions over the week-end and will be in touch next Thursday when he has his first competitive meeting for a month. He’s decided to race in the Swedish First Division, rather than the top flight.”
Nermark had planned to ride this week-end in the back-to-back Premier League matches against Berwick Bandits - at Shielfield on Saturday and back at Derwent Park on Bank Holiday Monday.
It now means that the Comets will have to book a guest rider at number one for both the meetings against a Bandits side who are unbeaten at home with nine wins and two draws.
In the five matches since Nermark’s injury Workington have used Tomas Topinka (twice), Kevin Doolan, Tai Woffinden and Jason Doyle with varying degrees of success.
Nermark first rode in the UK in 2001 when he signed for the Wolverhampton Wolves and in his second season helped them to the Elite League title.
He suffered a serious injury in 2003 and on his comeback dropped down to the Premier League with the Edinburgh Monarchs and has stayed in that division ever since.
He joined the King’s Lynn Stars in 2006 and was part of their treble winning side. He was retained in 2007 and finished third in the Premier League averages behind Chris Holder and Magnus Zetterstrom and was voted Premier League Rider of the Year by his fellow professionals.
In December last year he signed for the Comets on a full transfer from Wolverhampton.
