In this week’s column Danny tells of his injury frustration, how good is Drew Kemp? And why it’s good to see other teams in the Championship starting to challenge.

East Anglian Daily Times: Nico Covatti, back this week after injuryNico Covatti, back this week after injury (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

The frustration continues.

After qualifying for the British semi-final the other week, I was really hopeful I would be back on my bike again pretty quickly.

But that hasn’t been the case.

I had quite a severe reaction after my racing at Leicester and my arm was as painful afterwards as it had been on the night I had the crash at Foxhall three weeks ago.

That meant there has been no way I can return yet.

But the injury is calming down now and I hope to be back next week.

I still can’t straighten the arm fully and I don’t have the strength I had in it before my Leicester semi-final.

East Anglian Daily Times: Joe Lawlor holding off Drew Kemp and and Jason Edwards in heat ten of the British Under 19 final. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.comJoe Lawlor holding off Drew Kemp and and Jason Edwards in heat ten of the British Under 19 final. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

In saying all that, it’s getting there and this Bank Holiday Monday, Leicester have a home and away clash with Belle Vue and that is what I am aiming for.

It means of course I’m missing tomorrow night’s Witches meeting with Berwick.

That’s disappointing for me as originally I had targeted this meeting to return.

However, it’s my decision and I think it is the right one.

I don’t want to have one race and pull out. That could prove disastrous and leave Ritchie Hawkins, the team boss, in a difficult position.

So, give a big cheer to Lewis Kerr for us will you?

He’s standing in for me and did a great job last time with a paid maximum. More of the same Lewis!

East Anglian Daily Times: British Under 19 Champion Dan Bewley pictured with his trophy after the meeting at Foxhall Stadium last week. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.comBritish Under 19 Champion Dan Bewley pictured with his trophy after the meeting at Foxhall Stadium last week. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

And Nico Covatti is back this week.

Like me, he’s another who has had a frustrating start to the season.

But he’s had a couple of meetings now and I’m sure is raring to go.

I’m hoping to be at Foxhall tonight myself, so at least all seven Witches will be back in the pits together, even if I’m not racing!

I wasn’t at the British U19 final at Foxhall last week, but I heard it was a good little meeting.

Not surprisingly Dan Bewley took the plaudits and the win.

He’s a top rider is Dan. But I heard that Drew Kemp also did himself proud.

If he hadn’t slid off, so I’m told, when in second place, he would have been on the rostrum.

I also noticed he got a paid 21-point maximum for Mildenhall on Sunday. Wow! That’s pretty impressive.

I don’t know what his future is, but I imagine Ipswich very much have their eyes on him.

Certainly a local lad like Drew on your doorstep is someone I don’t imagine the Witches will want to slip through the net. They would be mad to allow it.

MORE: Witches v Bandits... Big meeting preview

The season has started slowly, but is starting to pick up now, although the smaller fixture list means meetings are hardly coming thick and fast.

It’s been good for me because I have missed few Ipswich meetings.

Anyhow, what has been happening in the Championship has been quite interesting.

Berwick, Scunthorpe and Workington have all started well and these are teams who in recent seasons haven’t featured in the play-offs.

But they are up there now in the early stages of the season, so who knows?

It’s good to see teams trying to improve their squads and certainly Workington and Scunthorpe have done so this year.

Of course Workington have Bewley riding for them, which is a big plus, while Scunny have a strong top five and Gino Manzares at reserve.

Should make for an interesting season ahead.

But I must admit I’m bored.

Physio, exercises, physio, exercises.

All I want to do is get back on the bike. But I know I have to be patient.

Still, I’m getting there now and I know I must not rush things.

So, if you are at Foxhall tomorrow night, I might see you. Say hello.

Give the boys plenty of cheer to, because they do appreciate it and it does make a difference.

MORE: Bewley wins British U19 title

Speak soon

DANNY

AS TOLD TO MIKE BACON