Adam's serious injury big blow for Eagles

Pedersen '“ who will miss tonight's Elite League fixture against Oxford at Arlington (8pm start) because of the Slove nian Grand Prix '“ has suffered from sore wrists for around two years.

During meetings he is often seen with ice-packs on his arms to ease the pain.

Pedersen announced he would go into hospital in Denmark on Monday for an operation which is set to rule him out for two weeks '“ a home meeting against Swindon and visits to Peterborough and Wolverhampton.

Eastbourne will be allowed to have a guest rider in his place.

Shields' absence will be much longer.

Following a brace of narrow home victories against Peterborough and Wolverhampton, the Sussex side's season looked set to be on the up and up following their first away win of the season at Oxford's Sandy Lane last Wednesday, one backed up by a confident home success over Poole Pirates on Good Friday evening.

Shields has enjoyed a blistering start to the current campaign and he will be hard to replace.

Tonight Peter Karlsson will come into the side, deputising for Pedersen, who will be absent contesting the practice day for the first Grand Prix round tomorrow evening.

In the Cheetahs line-up former world No.3 Todd Wiltshire is joined by Freddie Eriksson, while former Eagle Davey Watt, Pole Adam Skornicki and England international David Howe complete the engine room.