Captain Mads Korneliussen is facing a race against time to be fit for King's Lynn Stars' clashes with champions Swindon Robins next week.

The Dane took a heavy tumble in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Wednesday when Poole's Dawid Stachyra lost control and smashed into the Stars' skipper. The impact of the collision propelled the 29-year-old into the fence and he was forced to withdraw from the meeting as a result of his injuries.

The in-form rider remains desperate to be fit for Wednesday's home meeting with his former club, and the return clash in Wiltshire on Thursday, but admits he's got a fight on his hands to be ready come tapes up.

Korneliussen said: 'I'm desperate to ride against Swindon. I'm not riding in Poland at the weekend and I've had to say no to racing in Denmark on Monday as well.

'I will be the first one back if I am fit and I'm doing everything I can to be ready for Wednesday. My shoulder is the worst. I've got a muscle and ligament injury and my backside won't heal either. But I'm hoping it clears up. If I can't ride, I'll still be there though to support the team.'

The popular figure, in his third season at the Norfolk Arena, was in flying form before his accident. He had bagged 26, paid 27, from his last 13 rides and was the Stars' top-scorer, with 12, during their loss at Lakeside on Tuesday.

Team boss Rob Lyon, who ended up with only five of the usual seven riders to choose from against the Pirates, is likely to make a decision on the Scandinavian ace early next week.

'He's got a real bad gash and graze, a scuff, on the back of his leg (up to his backside), which is really nasty. He hurt his shoulder so he's battered and bruised,' said Lyon.

'It's difficult to say when he'll be back, but luckily he's not badly injured. Obviously with shoulders it's difficult to say exactly what's going to happen. We'll monitor it over the next few days. We'll make a decision in the early part of next week but hopefully he'll be ok.'

Simon Stead, who has missed the last two meetings after dislocating his shoulder while riding for Sheffield, is also a doubt for next week's home and away fixtures against Alun Rossiter's men.