TOBI Kroner has bemoaned the timing of an injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the final weeks of the speedway season.“It may well have denied me a Grand Prix wild card place,” said the 22-year-old German, who broke his finger in a tame-looking fall at Foxhall on September 11.

Elvin King

TOBI Kroner has bemoaned the timing of an injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the final weeks of the speedway season.

“It may well have denied me a Grand Prix wild card place,” said the 22-year-old German, who broke his finger in a tame-looking fall at Foxhall on September 11.

“On top of this it also stopped me from helping Ipswich in their play-off semi-final at Poole, and also from competing in the German Championship.”

Despite having extensive treatment on a broken finger, Kroner has been unable to ride since the injury and he is now looking to next season.

He is one of the riders who is expected to stay at Foxhall Stadium in 2009, while improving Englishman Chris Schramm is also a good bet.

“I tried riding a bike in practice, but it did not work out,” added Kroner, who may possibly make a return in the 16-Lap Classic at Foxhall later this month.

Kroner was overlooked for a place in Saturday's German GP in Gelsenkirchen, with that coveted wildcard place going to Martin Smolinski. Kroner is a meeting reserve along with Kevin Wolbert.

Chris Louis is going to decide in the next few weeks whether he will ride again next year after his painful broken arm injury, while Mark Loram can also not be discounted from the Witches 2009 side at this stage.

Steve Johnston has done all that has been asked of him, but the engaging Australian has an average that has traditionally taken him from one club to another.

Piotr Swiderski's availability will depend on how well he gets on with the new Peterborough owners, while fellow Pole

Jarek Hampel is by no means certain to want to ride in the Elite League again, and many will argue that Robert Miskowiak's days with Ipswich should be numbered.

Witches fans would welcome Rory Schlein back, but his signing from Coventry in August was solely based on a three-month deal and whether this is extended into next year remains to be seen.