CRADLEY have moved swiftly to sign talented Lakeside racer Alfie Bowtell to manage their early season injuries.

Bowtell steps in as a replacement for Jordan Jenkins who crashed in a meeting at Birmingham last week and sustained cracked vertebrae.

Motor Market Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “Jordan will be a big miss for us because he did so well last Monday against Stoke. He scored a paid maximum and he got on really well with the rest of the lads.

“Unfortunately, he could be out for anything as long as three months with cracked vertebrae. It’s a serious injury and we need him to take the time to get better so we don’t want to rush him back.

“Rider replacement is risky in case you carry on getting more injuries. We can’t really afford to use this facility as we are still at the group stage so we can’t lose too many matches.

“Alfie will come into the team and fit in quite nicely. It will be extra rides for him which is what he needs as he hasn’t had the confidence boosting rides for National League this year.

“He will come in and score some good points for us as I know he is more than capable of doing so.

“Hopefully we will continue to keep winning matches.”

Bowtell makes his Heathens debut at Monmore against Coventry on Monday May 21.