KING's Lynn racer Kozza Smith is backing the club to complete a Premier League treble despite his season-ending injury.The luckless Aussie reserve was set to be discharged from hospital in Hertfordshire yesterday after undergoing surgery on his broken ankle and fibia.

KING's Lynn racer Kozza Smith is backing the club to complete a Premier League treble despite his season-ending injury.

The luckless Aussie reserve was set to be discharged from hospital in Hertfordshire yesterday after undergoing surgery on his broken ankle and fibia.

Smith crashed through the fence in heat eight of Lynn's weekend 46-43 league defeat at Rye House attempting to overtake Andrew Silver.

The table-topping Stars track asset Simon Lambert at reserve for tonight's Premier League meeting against reigning champions Edinburgh at the Norfolk Arena - with Smith poised to remain in the UK until the end of the season to back his team mates.

“If they get a good reserve in over the next few weeks who can score points the boys will still be up there challenging,” said Smith.

“I plan to stay here rather than go home even though it's so hard to watch. I've got to keep my foot up for the next few weeks or so which will make it tough to watch some of the away meetings but I'll be at as many as possible.

“You've got to keep the team spirit up. I guess I'm back to being a good cheerleader again. You just have to stay positive and look forward, not back.”

Smith had already endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines during the opening months of the campaign after suffering a collapsed lung, four cracked ribs, a fractured shoulder and broken arm in a major shunt for Ipswich.

The flying reserve was targeting a move into the main body next month following an impressive injury return before his latest major set back.

“I knew it was broken straight away but my first thought was it mightn't need surgery,” said Smith. “When we got to the hospital and had the x-rays it was pretty clear I needed an operation. That was a real, tough moment for me because I realised what it meant and things got me down.

“Now I'm just in a lot of pain but that is speedway. Injuries are part and parcel.

“I just hope I've had all my major ones this season so I can come back stronger next year.”

Smith is once again braced for a gruelling period of rehabilitation, with doctors advising his ankle cast stays on until the end of next month.

“I've got to keep it on for six weeks and then wait and see,” he said. “I'm still in hospital but I'm hoping to get the all clear later to leave and head back to King's Lynn. I really hate these places.

“They operated straight away and the surgeon said he's put a plate in my leg to pin the fibia and screws around my ankle to stabilise it and hold it in place because it was hanging loose.

“I've had a few visitors but it will be nice to get back to Lynn and put my feet up. I suppose you could say I'm used to the rehab side of things although it doesn't make it any easier to go through.”

Edinburgh racer Andrew Tully is out of the trip south after suffering a broken pelvis. The champions will use rider replacement in his absence.

Stars: 1 Darcy Ward, 2 Linus Eklof, 3 Emiliano Sanchez, 4 Chris Schramm, 5 Tomas Topinka, 6 Simon Lambert, 7 Jan Graversen.

Monarchs: 1 Ryan Fisher, 2 Michal Rajkowski, 3 Max Dilger, 4 Matthew Wethers, 5 R/R, 6 Aaron Summers. 7 Byron Bekker.

Parade 7.30pm, first race 7.45pm.

Admission: Adults �12, concessions �9, �4 juniors (aged 12 to 15) with free entry for children aged 11 and under.