Head injury issues put Palin return on hold
All speedway action for Driffield teenager Jordan Palin remains on hold after a recent brain scan showed that the head injury he sustained earlier in the season has yet to fully heal.
It was back in July when the Peterborough and Scunthorpe rider, hailed as one of speedway’s brightest prospects, suffered a heavy crash during a Great Britain practice session.
Former Driffield School & Sixth Form student Palin was concussed and suffered a small bleed on the brain.
The 18-year-old decided to bring an early end to his 2022 season as he took time out to prioritise his long-term health.
Last week’s scan revealed that Palin’s recovery process requires more time, news that came as a surprise to the Premiership champion and his family.
“It has been a few months since my last update back in July following my accident,” he said.
“It has been a difficult time for both myself and my family, the uncertainty surrounding my injury and the implications that come with it.
“My latest scan has shown that the healing process is still not complete, which was not what we were expecting to hear.
“There is no one recovery plan that is universal, brain injuries have their own timescale and that is both frustrating and worrying.
“Although in myself I feel well, I am still not clear to resume any activity that could further aggravate the injury.
“Obviously this includes riding speedway. The only option available to me is to let the healing complete.
“Although the season is all but complete, this is normally a very busy time with securing places for next season and sourcing sponsorship.
“At this point, I have to put all of that on hold. I will continue to have regular consultations and scans but have to defer any decisions until I’m cleared.
“I am also trying to process the possibility that this may take a lot longer than anticipated.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and kind messages and apologise if I have not yet had chance to reply to them all.”
In Palin’s absence, last season’s Premiership champions Peterborough have finished the season bottom of the table, whilst Scunthorpe narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the Championship.
