Hopes rise for Haines

Injured Wolves speedway rider Joe Haines has had laser surgery in a bid to rescue his World Under-21 championship ambitions.

The 18-year-old won the British crown last Friday only to take a sickening fall three days later in Wolves' two-point home win over Eastbourne.

But the sport's Ipswich-based medical guru Brian Simpson has given Haines a chance of making the start line. A broken shoulder was feared, but the damage is a broken collarbone.

"He's lasered the bones together," said Haines. "I've got the world under-21 round on May 15 in Gdansk and the British (senior) semi-final at King's Lynn three days before that.

"It's a pretty important week. If I can be clear for that it will be a huge help."