COOK TO SIT OUT FINALS

BEN Cook has been ruled out of Grand Finals for both of his clubs next week following his crash at Sheffield on Thursday.

The Australian thankfully avoided serious injury in the Heat 10 accident with scans coming back all clear, but he will be missing for at least nine days due to a heavy bout of concussion.

That puts him out of Belle Vue’s ROWE Motor Oil Premiership title decider against Leicester, as well as Poole’s upcoming clashes with Oxford in the Cab Direct Championship.

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “We are obviously disappointed for Ben but I am thankful that he’s avoided serious injury. He has been fantastic for us all season, both as a rider and a leader.

“It’s a big loss not to have him on the track for the Grand Final but he’ll still be there in the pits, supporting the team.

“We’re hoping to have him back for the other Finals, but sadly he will miss both legs against Oxford. We will have to bring in guest riders to cover but we will be giving it everything.”