Belle Vue team boss Chris Morton faced a double team dilemma for tonight's Elite League match at runaway leaders, Poole, after receiving an 'I quit' message from German rider Tobias Kroner.

Morton, already without William Lawson who is recovering from an ankle injury, was considering his options after Kroner's decision to pack up racing in England.

The 24-year-old, signed at the beginning of April to replace the injured Charlie Gjedde, had suffered a nightmare run of form after an impressive start when he scored ten points against Ipswich, his parent club.

But his confidence waned rapidly in the face of a virus which he couldn't shake off and a run of poor scores.

Kroner's decision to quit probably saved the Autogate Aces the job of sacking him if his bleak run had continued for much longer.

Morton will use the rider replacement facility for him at Poole tonight.

He said: “Toby said he had discussed the situation with his team in Germany and felt it was best for himself and Belle Vue that he took a rest from English speedway.

“He said he had suffered a loss of confidence and,with the problems he had been having, we had to go along with it.

“There was no question of us falling out with Toby but he didn't want to carry on. The move to Belle Vue wasn't working out for him and he needed to be able to concentrate on getting things sorted out.”

Morton is making enquiries abroad for a replacement and hopes to have a new rider in place for next Monday's rearranged home match against Coventry.

Newport's Australian rider, Craig Watson, will guest in place of Lawson at Poole tonight. He is a former Poole rider so he knows the track.

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