FORMER Lakeside Hammers favourite Krzysztof Kasprzak is to make a surprise return to the Essex club.The 25 year old Pole last rode for the Club in the 2007 season, the first of the Stuart Douglas era, and was a firm favourite with the fans, showing a great mastery of the tight Arena-Essex circuit.

FORMER Lakeside Hammers favourite Krzysztof Kasprzak is to make a surprise return to the Essex club.

The 25 year old Pole last rode for the Club in the 2007 season, the first of the Stuart Douglas era, and was a firm favourite with the fans, showing a great mastery of the tight Arena-Essex circuit.

He will line up as one of the Club's Heat Leaders and comes in as a direct replacement for the previously included Great Britain international Lee Richardson who now has been left out of team plans after doubts surrounding his availability, which occurred when his parent club Swindon contacted the Hammers Management.

A clearly delighted Kasprzak commented: "I am very happy to be going back to Lakeside. I like the track, the riders and the fans and it's good to be back with Stuart and Jon again. I was using the Club's workshop in Hemel Hempstead last season and it's good to be able to keep my set up there and ride back with the Hammers".

Explaining the turn of events Co Promoter and Team Manager Jon Cook said: "Speedway can be pretty crazy at times and once we learnt that Krys was looking for a change this year we agreed a deal within an hour. We had no reason to think that Lee would not have been available to us and had agreed a deal but those circumstances changed and to be able to bring Krys back to the Club was then a no brainer.

“I hope that we see Lee racing in the Elite League and pass on our thanks to him for a superb year of service. It's a shame matters ended in the way they did, but we appreciate that's the nature of the business. Its great to have KK back as time and again he has shown his liking for our circuit and both he and his sidekick Mark Courtney will again add to the great team spirit we have enjoyed."

The Hammers had planned to announce two signings this Friday before Wednesday's events but they will now be reassessing their options in light of events and no more team news is likely to be released for the time being.

Kasprzak will join the team on a loan deal from the Poole Pirates.