SPEEDWAY star Paul Hurry is hoping for the all-clear week for an injury-free start to the season with Arena-Essex Hammers.

The Maidstone rider is due to see a consultant on Wednesday for an assessment of the second operation on the arm he badly injured toward the end of the 2003 season.

He had a stronger metal plate glued in place to strengthen his arm, and allow more mobility, as an original insert proved to be too weak.

Hurry, who rejoined the Hammers in 2004, hopes to be taking his place in the side, initially as a reserve, when the gates open at the Purfleet raceway near Lakeside shopping centre.

Sky Sports have chosen Hammers’ match against defending champions Poole to host their opening live coverage of the SkyBet Elite Speedway League, on Tuesday, March 22. The fixture will be Sky’s opening choice for the second consecutive season.

Hammers duo Mark Loram, a former Canterbury schoolboy, and Leigh Lanham, are also racing in Sweden, where they are members of the Piraterna squad.

Loram, the 2000 World Champion, has switched clubs in Sweden, having previously ridden for Luxo Stars.

Hammers’ first fixture is Wednesday, March 16, when they entertain Eastbourne Eagles, in the first leg of the AirTek Air Barrier match.

The second leg will take place at the Eagles’ Arlington Raceway on Saturday, March 19.