I’ll be back: King’s Lynn Stars’ Rory Schlein targets return just months after spinal operation

Lewis Kerr is recovering at home. Picture: Ian Burt

The sport has been rocked this year by serious crashes involving the Australian, team-mate Lewis Kerr and fellow Aussie Darcy Ward – currently waiting to discover the full extent of a serious spinal injury.

But the King's Lynn Stars' skipper has helped lift some of the gloom by confirming he will make a comeback next season, despite almost being left paralysed by an accident in May.

The 31-year-old said on Twitter: 'Hoping to make a giant leap forward in my road back to racing. We hit a stumbling block last week but when one door closes another one opens. It's almost four months since the injury so I still need a tad more time of TLC. Fingers crossed, with hard work, I'll be back racing next year.

'I've met a new back specialist who I hope will get me back on track. Will update more soon – 2016, come get some.'

The Aussie, who has competed for Lynn in the Elite League since 2013, signed off his posts with the phrase: '#DW43 inspiration'. The message is another show of support to his stricken countryman Ward, hospitalised, like Schlein, after crashing in Poland. While fears remain over Ward's racing future, Schlein has astounded doctors with an inspirational recovery from his own sickening high-speed incident.

Within weeks of fracturing his L2 (vertebra) and completely destroying the lower L5 part of his spine, as well as undergoing a six-hour operation, the father-of-two was walking with the support of a back brace. He has since been able to exercise and make a wider range of movements.

The news caps a morale-boosting end to a difficult season which saw Lynn miss out on a place in the play-offs. Heacham-based Kerr, 25 – put in an induced coma for three days after suffering a serious head injury while competing in August – last week also vowed to pull on his kevlars again next campaign.