STOKE have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their 2018 campaign with the news that Luke Chessell will not be able to take his place in the side.

Chessell, who was set to take the number one race jacket have suffered a broken tibia, fibula and smashed his knee while motorcycling in the United States and Potters promoter Dave Tattum commented “I’m devastated for Luke and his family and we wish him well for a speedy recovery. Obviously, it now means we need another rider for the new season and we’ve already started the search and we are looking to get something sorted sooner rather than later. I have to admit it has caught us on the hop a little as we thought we’d got the team sorted and ready to go but there is nothing anyone can do when injuries present themselves.”

Tattum continued “I know supporters maybe anxious as Luke was obviously one of our heat-leaders but I can assure them that we will do our best to get someone new in as quickly as possible so watch this space.”