Speedway By John Walsh

Last updated 10:53, Saturday, 13 September 2008

Former Workington Comets ace Rusty Harrison is being forced to give up speedway after suffering a blood clot.

Harrison: Injections

Initially the scan in a King’s Lynn hospital did not pick up the deep vein thrombosis and it was only a second scan at the West Cumberland Hospital which revealed the problem.

Harrison, who lives in Workington and has been riding for King’s Lynn this season, is undergoing a course of injections and tablets.

His mother said: “He’s in quite a bit of pain and discomfort at the moment but has been told there is unlikely to be an operation.

“What it does mean, however, is that he will be on warferine for the rest of his life and because of that won’t be allowed to take part in any contact sport.

“We are grateful to the people at the West Cumberland Hospital for pinpointing the problem. The King’s Lynn hospital has a specialist DVT unit but their scan did not pinpoint the cause.”

Harrison had been out of sorts during a meeting for King’s Lynn last Wednesday and when his thigh started to swell-up he was taken to hospital.

The popular Australian had planned to have a season out after finishing early last year at Stoke, but was persuaded to have another go at King’s Lynn.

The Stars team manager Rob Lyon said: “When Rusty left King’s Lynn he was told it was not deep vein thrombosis, which was good news, but they didn’t seem to know exactly what the problem was. There was a suggestion Rusty could have had a torn muscle in his leg.

“He went back home, saw the medics up there and then sent me a text to say they thought there could be a blood cot problem after all and they wanted him back in for more tests.”

Workington Comets ride at Derwent Park tonight against Newcastle Diamonds and skipper Kauko Nieminen leads the side on the back of a brilliant performance in the Elite League.

Riding for Lakeside at Ipswich he top-scored with 16 points and a bonus, helping the Hammers to a 46-44 victory over the Witches.

Comets team manager Workington are looking to win their last two matches of the season, at home to Newcastle (tonight) and Stoke (next Friday) to try and claim fourth spot in the play-offs.