Iversen's season is almost certainly over after a serious shoulder injury

Wolverhampton's hopes of maintaining their place in the Elite League have suffered two major blows.

Niels Kristian Iversen (shoulder) and Morten Risager (hand) were both injured in Thursday night's humiliating 67-23 play-off defeat at Peterborough.

Both are now likely to miss the two-legged clash with one of the Premier League's top two later this month.

Kings Lynn and Edinburgh are the two clubs hoping to battle Wolves for a place in the top flight in 2009.

Iversen also misses this weekend's final Grand Prix event of the year because of the shoulder injury, which appears to be serious.

"Niels was in agony," said Wolves boss Peter Adams. "It was a bad crash and, on behalf of Wolverhampton speedway, I would like to offer the injured lads my best wishes."

Those injured riders include Peterborough's up-and-coming talent Danny King, who damaged his leg in a fall.

Risager's problem is his hand which has restricted movement and could end his season early, leaving the men from Monmore Green with a selection headache for the crucial play-off fixtures ahead.

"If we're without Niels," added Adams, "then we'll look at a rider who hasn't raced in the UK this season to see if we can sign a replacement for two massive meetings."

Wolves anticipate staging the home leg against Kings Lynn or Edinburgh on Monday 27 October.