SPEEDWAY fans in Thurrock have literally suffered a Hammer blow with news that top rider Andreas Jonsson will miss Monday's play-off grand final second leg at Poole Pirates.

Illness has ruled the Swede out of the second leg of the final, which the Hammers trail by six points following last week's first leg at the Arena Raceway.

Jonsson also pulled out of Saturday's ill-fated German Grand Prix, which was eventually cancelled after difficulties with the racing surface at Gelsenkirchen.

Hammers boss Jon Cook said: "AJ has no strength at all and has been lying ill in bed since Wednesday. He has a very high fever and something wrong with his digestive system."

Cook has booked the services of Eastbourne's Scott Nicholls as a guest replacement at Poole.

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