Peterborough number one Ryan Fisher has been ruled out of the club’s first two Premier League meetings by injury.

The American ace will miss a Saturday trip to Workington and a Sunday clash at Glasgow after being ordered to take seven days rest by doctors due to a back problem.

Fisher was hurt in a high-speed crash at Leicester last Saturday when riding for Elite League club Coventry and aggravated the injury while on duty for Polish side Rawicz on Easter Monday.

But club bosses have moved swiftly to pull off a notable guest booking by hiring former Panthers favourite Richard Lawson as a guest for both northern trips.

Co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “Ryan has been told to take a break due to his back injury and he will certainly be a big loss to us.

“It is a big blow for any club to be without their number one, but we could not have a better guest than Richard who is in red-hot form.

“He is flying in the Elite League and the Premier League – and he is a former Workington rider which will come in really handy on Saturday.”

Panthers hope Fisher will be passed fit to return to the saddle for next Tuesday’s televised home clash against Newcastle at the East of England Showground.

Scroggins revealed Panthers reserve Joe Jacobs is winning his fitness race after being left concussed in a nasty crash in the second part of the club’s Good Friday double over Ipswich in the League Cup, Southern Group.

He added: “We’re in regular contact with Joe and he seems to be improving day-by-day. We’re very hopeful he will be okay for the weekend.”