The Ipswich Witches have been rocked by the news that Jason Doyle will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
Doyle was involved in a heavy crash at King’s Lynn in May, spiralling over the fence and landing on concrete.
He suffered four broken ribs and a lung contusion as well as experiencing numbness in his left shoulder but was still hopeful of returning to action in the near future.
However, the Witches number one had further MRI scans on his shoulder at hospital two days after the crash and after further tests and scans in Poland on Friday the extent of the shoulder damage was confirmed.
The former world champion has snapped two tendons and torn his rotator cuff which need immediate treatment.
Doyle will undergo an operation on Tuesday and will be on the sidelines for a period of four to six months meaning he will sit out the remainder of the campaign.
It comes as a huge blow to the Australian who had started the Grand Prix series strongly and sat third in the standings, having won Round 2 in Warsaw.
Witches team boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “All of us at the club are gutted with the news on Jason’s injury, not just for us but for him personally.
"He has started the season flying and was really looking set to attack the Grand Prix and fight for another world title.
"He was in superb form all over the world and it is a huge loss for us but I’m sure he will stay around the team and the club because his influence and presence will still contribute and be a bonus for the team."
The Witches head to Birmingham tomorrow night for the first leg of their KO Cup semi-final.
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