MAJOR BLOW FOR ATKINS

PLYMOUTH have been rocked by the news that the season could already be over for their Rising Star reserve Henry Atkins.

The promising youngster dislocated his shoulder during a fixture for his NDL club Eastbourne at Leicester earlier this month, adding to previous shoulder problems sustained in 2019.

Atkins has received advice from Premiership racer Kyle Howarth who underwent major shoulder surgery last year and recommended a private clinic in Cheshire – who have confirmed the shoulder can be repaired with surgery, but the healing process could rule him out for 2021.

Plymouth promoter Mark Phillips said: “The club are gutted and now have a big hole to fill as Henry has shown he is a master of the Plymouth track and with his 2019 Championship knowledge, he would have been a key rider of the team in the away meetings.

“Henry would have been pushing to get in the main body of the team for sure in 2021.”