Barker out for Workington clash

Plymouth will be without captain and number one Ben Barker for their Premier League match against Workington at the St Boniface Arena on Friday evening (7.15pm).

Barker is required to take an enforced five-day break after being knocked out in Tuesday’s match at Peterborough and the Skills Group Devils will bring in a guest replacement to cover his absence.
Team manager Lee Trigger said: "Ben was unconscious for three minutes after his fall. He was subsequently able to walk back to the pits and wanted to carry on racing, but was withdrawn from the meeting on medical grounds and has been advised not to race for five days."

Plymouth will be entitled to bring in a top rider to replace Barker, but Trigger admits that his team face a tough task against the Comets.

"They were a side tipped for the championship at the start of the season, but have had so many matches off that they are only one point above us in the table," said the Plymouth boss.

"When you look at their team, they are very strong and we will be in for a difficult time if they show their true form. But, if all our riders perform as well as they can, we are capable of beating any team on our own track."

Workington have former Somerset rider Josh Grajczonek at number one and he is partnered by Ricky Wells, who impressed when he rode for Plymouth a couple of seasons ago.

In the middle order are skipper Rene Bach, a 24-year-old Dane, who is paired with young Australian Mason Campton.

Kyle Howarth completes the top five with recent signing Joe Jacobs at reserve along with a former Plymouth rider Ben Hopwood, a guest replacement for Simon Lambert, who is ruled out with a hand injury.

So far this season Workington have only completed six away league matches, winning at Newcastle (49-44) and Rye House (56-34).