FORMER world speedway champion Mark Loram has been left devastated after being told that his broken thigh is no closer healing than it was the day he crashed.

Elvin King

By ELVIN KING

FORMER world speedway champion Mark Loram has been left devastated after being told that his broken thigh is no closer healing than it was the day he crashed.

There must be serious doubts about 37-year-old Loram returning to the track, and he definitely misses the whole of the 2008 campaign.

After enjoying a successful return to Ipswich Evening Star Witches in 2006, Stowmarket-based Loram broke his thigh in the opening Elite League meeting of last season at Foxhall Stadium.

He now requires more surgery after being given bad news by a specialist.

“My thigh is still as broken as the day I did it,” said Loram. “I can't believe it and I've got to have the whole thing done again.”

With Loram out of the equation, Ipswich have named six riders for this season, and they have been linked with Pole Piotr Swiderski to complete their side.

He rode for Peterborough last season but is surplus to requirements at the East of England showground this year.

The Witches finished second from bottom in the Elite League table in 2007, and they are being tipped to have a repeat this season.

Meanwhile former Ipswich rider 'Felixstowe Flyer' Nigel Flatman has given the Witches another speedway recommendation.

Now running a successful limousine business in Perth, Western Australia, Flatman recommended Tai Woffinden to the Witches camp three years ago.

Woffinden has made a huge impact since and has become a Wolverhampton asset - being tipped to become a future world champion.

Flatman, who called Woffinden the new Billy Sanders in 2004, said: “Cameron Heeps is still at school and one of the youngest riders in this weekend's Australian Under-16 championship. He is one to watch and a rider Ipswich will be advised to take a big interest in.”

Bookmakers Stan James have quoted Ipswich at 16-1 to lift the championship trophy. Only Belle Vue are longer priced - at 20-1.

The full odds are: Poole 2-1, Lakeside 11-4, Coventry 9-2, Eastbourne 15-2, Wolves 8-1, Swindon 12-1, Peterborough 16-1, Ipswich 16-1, Belle Vue 20-1.