Peterborough Panthers captain Niels-Kristian Iversen is confident he can return to fitness in time to lead his team into the Elite League play-offs.

The 28-year-old has been dogged by injury all season and limped out of Monday's defeat at Belle Vue with a recurrence of a thigh complaint.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It's not such a good time for me.

"But I'm sure I'll bounce back and I can find my way through it and get back even better."

The Danish rider was forced out of action earlier in the season with a shoulder problem, and has struggled with a series of injuries since.

After his mid-race withdrawal at Belle Vue, Iversen is determined not to rush his rehabilitation this time around.

He said: "I felt I let my team down, I feel sorry to let the people down.

The main thing is that we get to the play-offs, if we get there, everything can happen Niels Kristian Iversen

"I'm going to take it day-by-day, I don't have any scheduled meetings before next week so it will give me some time to rest and get some treatment.

"Hopefully it won't cause any more damage in any further meetings."

The Panthers take on Coventry Bees on 20 August, and Iversen believes his men have what it takes to challenge for honours this season.

They currently sit third in the standings, with the top four teams set to compete in the end of season play-offs.

"We just have to win all the meetings we can and we'll see how far we end up in the table," he said.

"The main thing is that we get to the play-offs, if we get there then everything can happen, it's a new tournament starting.

"I'm sure if we get there we can fight for the gold medal."

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