PETERBOROUGH have launched the search for a new signing – after ruling out Polish star Karol Zabik.

With continuing doubts over the World Under 21 Champion’s fitness ahead of the new season, the Readypower Panthers are ready to bring in a replacement.

Even though he flew into Britain on Saturday morning, Zabik was unable to practice on Monday and there are fears he will be out for several months.

He believed he had fully recovered from a crash towards the end of last season in which he suffered head injuries.

But he is still suffering from a lack of balance and has been advised that it would be dangerous to consider a full-time comeback until he has had further examinations.

Zabik hasn’t ridden at all since his accident but was expected to get back on a bike at Monday’s Press and Practice Day.

He will return to Poland today (Tuesday) but accepts that Peterborough can’t gamble on him recovering in time for their opening Elite League match against Coventry on Good Friday (April 2).

Club owner Rick Frost said: “There is no doubt that Karol was absolutely desperate to be riding for us this season.

“But it was equally clear that he still has considerable fitness problems and we just can’t take a chance on when he will be fit enough to start racing again.

“Karol will need further hospital checks when he gets back home and there is no timescale so we will be looking to bring in a replacement.”

It’s the second blow to the Panthers winter team-building after the Speedway Control Bureau turned down a plea for Adam Roynon to be allowed to double up despite not racing in the 2009 Premier League.

Three young riders were put through their paces at the East of England Showground on Monday – Scunthorpe pair Joel Parsons and Simon Lambert and Rye House’s Luke Bowen – and one of them could possibly fill the doubling-up role alongside Stoke’s Klaus Jakobsen.

But Zabik’s unavailability does open up other options, which the Panthers management team are currently exploring.

Team boss Trevor Swales added: “We still have a couple of weeks before our first league match so we don’t need to panic.

“We will look at what alternatives we have and have already spoken with several possible targets.”


RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 09 March 2010