Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 24 April 2008

WORKINGTON Comets’ schoolboy rider, Joe Haines, will race in tonight’s British U21 final.

FIGHTING FIT: Joe Haines (and inset) showing the style that has taken him to tonight’s British U21 final

Haines had a nasty fall competing at Isle of Wight on Tuesday and looked doubtful for the final.

But the battered and bruised 16-year-old has been having physio treatment on his hurt shoulder and aims to keep his U21 date at Lakeside.

Bolton-based Haines has even benefited from yesterday’s industrial action by teachers - his school was closed giving him extra time to prepare for tonight.

He said yesterday: “I’m a bit sore but it’s not too bad and I think I’ve just bruised it. Actually my bum is just as sore from where I landed.

“There was no damage to my collar-bone and I’m going for just a bit of physio ahead of the meeting just to get me ready.

“I am really looking forward to the meeting because the first thing I thought when I fell was that I might miss out.

“I’ll be travelling down in plenty of time to be able to take part in the practice session in the afternoon.”

Haines won the qualifier at King’s Lynn to take his place in the final while team-mate Charles Wright also got through in third place.

Haines said: “Tai Woffinden is going to be the red-hot favourite but that’s to be expected because he is an awesome rider. I rode with him at Scunthorpe last season so I know how good he is.

“We keep in touch and I’m looking forward to meeting up with him at Lakeside.”

It’s a busy weekend for the schoolboy as he’s riding for the Comets on Saturday and Sunday in back-to-back Knockout Cup matches, home and away, against Stoke Potters.

He said: “I’m enjoying the step up to the Premier League. Obviously it’s tougher than what I was used to in the Conference League but I’m trying to learn a little more each week.”

Young Haines had been injured in Tuesday’s league clash at the Isle of Wight which the Comets lost 49-44.

n See page 50 for three Comets match reports.