Jonsson crashed out of the eleventh heat with Belle Vue Aces

Lakeside Hammers' lead rider Andreas Jonsson will be out of action for at least two weeks through injury.

The Swede sustained two broken bones in his left hand and one in his right in an accident during their opening Elite League fixture at Belle Vue.

Jonsson collided with team-mate Leigh Lanham in the eleventh heat of the match at the Manchester track.

Team manager Jon Cook has booked Poole Pirates rider Davey Watt as cover for the Hammers' next two fixtures.

Jonsson, who won last year's German Grand Prix, was despondent at the news.

Everything will be knocked back a while now, but I am determined to get back into the saddle Andreas Jonsson

He said: "I was obviously enjoying myself riding for the Hammers and I felt I was moving into a rich vein of form.

"Everything will be knocked back a while now, but I am determined to get back into the saddle."

Hammers' team-mate Lanham sustained injuries to his shoulders and knees in the incident.

A decision on whether he will be fit to ride in their forthcoming matches with Peterborough and Swindon is expected to be taken on Thursday.

Team boss Jon Cook said: "Both AJ and Leigh have been in excellent form, and whilst I'm thrilled at the prospect of having Leigh back, potentially, for Thursday, to lose your number one rider is always a blow.

"It's a cruel stroke of bad luck, but these things happen in Speedway and it's how we respond as a club and a team that will decide how we are judged come the end of the season."