King's Lynn's Swedish heat leader Daniel Nermark is struggling with a damaged ankle ahead of tonight's Premier League northern tour opener at Edinburgh.

King's Lynn's Swedish heat leader Daniel Nermark is struggling with a damaged ankle ahead of Friday's Premier League northern tour opener at Edinburgh.

Lynn follow-up with a trip to Berwick 24 hours later, but inspirational skipper Tomas Topinka admits Nermark remains a major doubt after his first-bend shunt in the midweek Workington win.

“At the moment we just don't know,” said Topinka. “He's had a hospital check-up but wasn't able to complete his rides on Wednesday. When I saw him after the meeting it didn't look good.

“It was one of those things - he caught his ankle in Gary Stead's front wheel as they were both going for the same bit of track. Even if it turns out to be bruised rather than broken he could be missing for a few meetings. If he is we just have to get on with it.”

Lynn travel in buoyant mood after victory at Mildenhall and a hard-fought Sheffield draw on their latest road trips.

“Let's hope that run continues,” said Topinka. “We certainly feel we are capable of matching most teams. On paper we always look very strong so it's easy to say we should pick up wins home and away.”

Topinka believes Lynn have managed to retain the special team spirit which helped them land last season's Premier League KO Cup and Young Shield trophies.

“I feel it is on the same level again,” he said. “Everyone is together both in the pits and away from the track - it definitely helps.”

Lynn's Czech skipper preferred to deflect the spotlight away from his starring role in Wednesday's Workington win - a faultless five-ride maximum.

“To be honest it was a bit of struggle early on,” said Topinka. “I changed a few things on the bike and it was working a lot better by the end. I still feel there's a lot of scope for improvement. The final score didn't really reflect the meeting - the racing was a lot closer.”

Stars co-promoters Buster and Jonathan Chapman presented a cheque with the proceeds from the Ashley Jones Memorial Meeting to Jones' younger brother Mark during the Workington interval.

t Monarchs: 1 Henrik Moller, 2 Theo Pijper, 3 Matthew Wethers, 4 William Lawson (R/R), 5 Rusty Harrison, 6 Sean Stoddart, 7 Derek Sneddon.

t Stars: 1 Daniel Nermark, 2 Trevor Harding, 3 Troy Batchelor, 4 Kevin Doolan, 5 Tomas Topinka, 6 Chris Mills, 7 John Oliver.

Meanwhile, American rider Brent Werner has signed for Mildenhall from Elite League Eastbourne Eagles while Norwich-based Shaun Tacey is set for a surprise loan switch to Poole Pirates.