Work may end Jon’s Cat career (From Dorset Echo)

Work may end Jon’s Cat career

9:18am Thursday 17th December 2009 in

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WEYMOUTH Wildcats’ asset Jon Armstrong could be forced to make his racing comeback elsewhere, as his work commitments may prevent him returning to the Wessex Stadium in 2010.

The 35-year-old is almost certain to be riding again next year after finally overcoming the broken leg he suffered in the Conference League Best Pairs at Weymouth on May 31, 2008.

Promoter Phil Bartlett was known to be keen on bringing Armstrong back as his captain and number one for next season, provided he could prove his fitness.

But the veteran racer may have to look away from Dorset for a National League berth after taking on a delivery job with a printing firm in his native Manchester.

This will probably require him to deliver work to London on Tues-days and Fridays – Weymouth’s weekly race night.

Armstrong said: “I don’t know yet but it looks like I might have a problem with Friday nights.

“If it were Tuesdays and Thurs-days, it wouldn’t be so bad. But they deliver a lot of stuff that people want on Fridays.

“We’re still not 100 per cent certain what will happen with that but it looks like it will be Tuesdays and Fridays.”

Those work commitments would rule Armstrong out of joining Plymouth and the Isle of Wight.

Meanwhile, Mildenhall, Bournemouth and Newport have already signed their top stars for next term.

This could mean the former Buxton man’s options are limited, but the Mighty Midget admits he still has to ensure he is fit to ride a bike before signing a contract anywhere.

He said: “If anyone rings me, they’ll just get told what I’ve said to Phil. Until I ride a bike, I can’t say I’m doing anything yet.

“The first hurdle I’ve got to get past is getting back on a bike and making sure I’m fit and ready to go.

“I don’t see a problem, though, so watch this space – I’m almost 100 per cent certain I will be back.”

Armstrong had a knee operation in August to relieve the pain caused by cartilage and ligament damage.

The rider is hopeful this was a success but Armstrong’s attempts to test the leg last Sunday were dashed when he suffered a twinge in his back on the Saturday night.

He said: “I was loading the bikes into the van and pulled a muscle.

“I could still feel a little bit of pain there earlier this week but I could get on a bike now and it wouldn’t bother me.

“I couldn’t believe it when I had this latest setback, but I’ll get out there this weekend – nothing is going to stop me.”