Luke Chessell brought in for Nathan Stoneman

With the news that Nathan Stoneman has an ongoing injury the Gladiators promotion were quick to find an injury replacement for him, bringing on former Devon Demon Luke Chessell.

Plymouth Co Promoter and Team Manager Mattie Bates said “Nathan picked up a knee injury earlier this season and has been riding through the pain barrier non stop and in this sport as much physical stress as riding with an injury can put on your body it can also start affecting you mentally.

Hopefully with some time off to rest his injury and some time to figure everything out Nathan will return in flying form”.

The promotion were quick to sign Chessell who Bates said has all the makings of being a rider to fear in the National League, Bates added “Luke has experience on the Plymouth track after a season with the Devon Demons in 2014 which will hopefully help him settle into the team a little quicker.

Luke has by no means had a fair start to the season, hopefully this will be just what he needs to re-start his 2019 season”.

This Friday will also see the return on David Wallinger who suffered a concussion in his debut race earlier this season against the Somerset Rebels.

Bates said “David had the worst possible luck a rider could have in his debut meeting, but he’s a rider that won’t let a knock back like that stop him.

I feel bringing in David was a great chance for the Gladiators to strengthen up in a bid to hit the National League playoffs”.

Both David and Luke will race up against their old club this Friday at the Coliseum when the Gladiators host the Stoke Potters in the 2nd leg of the Knockout Cup quarter finals.