King's Lynn Stars' injury curse has struck again after Jordan Frampton - the rider brought in to replace injured Kozza Smith - was ruled out for the start of the Elite League season.

Frampton faces between six and eight weeks on the sidelines after breaking his scaphoid (bone in wrist) while riding for Premier League Rye House on Thursday.

The 26-year-old had an X-Ray on his hand this morning and the break to the bone - caused when Frampton crashed in the first leg of the Anglian Cup at Ipswich Witches - was confirmed.

The British rider was signed by the Stars around three weeks ago to replace Smith, who broke his leg in January. He was set to double up alongside David Howe.

Frampton's injury leaves team boss Rob Lyon little more than a week to sign another rider ahead of Lynn's first Elite League fixture of the season against Eastbourne Eagles on March 28.