SCUNTHORPE have begun the search for a new reserve after tail-ender Josh Bailey (pictured) asked to take a break from the sport.
The Scorpions' No. 7 wants to stand down from the team after struggling for points in recent matches, most notably at Redcar and Edinburgh where he failed to score. Club owner Rob Godfrey explained: "Josh has told us that he doesn't feel comfortable on the bike, and that he wants to take some time out. "He had a big crash at Edinburgh last Saturday, and he didn't want to be out there after that. He also had some nasty tumbles last year. "We have to respect his decision, even though it does cause us something of a headache, because it's really hard to replace someone on Josh's average and Josh had really been producing the goods in Heat 2 at Scunthorpe this season." The Scorpions have called up former Belle Vue Colt Joe Lawlor for tomorrow's home Championship clash with Somerset at the Eddie Wright Raceway. Lawlor, who recently joined National League Stoke, will partner Ryan Kinsley at reserve. Godfrey said: "Joe is really keen to do well for us on Friday, because he knows that a good performance could go a long way to convincing us that he deserves a full-time crack at Championship level. "He's guested for us in the past and impressed. This is his big chance to show he's on the pace and capable of scoring points for us."