On Monday when Burnt Oak speedway rider Ian Clarke should have been making his debut for Premier League champions Reading he was in Northwick Park Hospital recovering from an emergency hernia operation.

Sixteen-year-old Ian was found in agony in bed by mother Chris on Sunday morning. He was taken to Edgware General Hospital and then transferred to Northwick Park where he was in the operating theatre being treated for a twisted hernia and related problems within an hour of being admitted.

It was a tremendous blow for the lad from Watling Avenue who has picked up two individual titles in recent weeks.

A star with the M4 Raven/Sprockets junior side last term, he was due to step into the senior Reading side on Monday for their League Cup clash with the Isle of Wight as a replacement for Lee Driver who was on British Championship duty.

"All he wanted was a chance to prove himself in the Premier League. His chance comes along and this happens, but his time will come," said mechanic dad Dave Clarke confidently. "We are expecting him home shortly, but we can't say yet when he will be fit to ride again."

Courageous Ian, who has been riding motorcycles competitively since he was seven years old, was seriously injured in a track crash last August when his crash helmet saved his life as he was catapulted from his machine.

He suffered a dislocated shoulder, a broken hand, broken wrist and severe bruising. His crash helmet was damaged beyond repair.

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