Stars’ Boughen ruled out for immediate future

King’s Lynn’s Rising Star Ashton Boughen will be out of action for the immediate future – with his current injury adding to a recent crisis of confidence.Regarded as one of the most promising teenagers in the sport and already with a list of top scalps to his name, Boughen has in recent weeks been a shadow of the rider the Stars thought they had signed over the winter.Matters came to a head last weekend when racing for his Championship club Glasgow, as Boughen completed just two rides during their match at Edinburgh and did not then reappear, although he was not actually injured, meaning the Tigers went into a race one rider short.With speculation circling that he could be facing a ban, Boughen did line up for the Stars at home to Ipswich last Monday, but after falling at the back of Heat 4 his night was once again over.On this occasion, an injury was diagnosed and Lynn were therefore able to replace him, but manager Rob Lyon hinted after the meeting that the 17-year-old could require some time out regardless.And in midweek, the rider himself delivered the news that many had expected, taking him out of the firing line and a situation that was doing nobody any good.Boughen said: “I’m signed out injured with my shoulder. Good luck to both of my teams, King’s Lynn and Glasgow. “I am not sure when I will be fit to come back, but I am feeling exhausted from it all at the moment, so the injury has come at the right time. “Thanks to everyone who has asked how I am.”Stars will again promote Luke Harrison from their National Development Trophy team to guest for Boughen in Monday’s home league clash with Birmingham, which is certainly a fixture which falls into ‘must win’ territory.And the same could be said for the away trip to Oxford next Thursday, a venue where Lynn have already been successful this season in the KO Cup. Meanwhile, there looks to be light at the end of the tunnel regarding Ben Cook, with Stars provisionally hoping he will return from his broken scaphoid on June 16.Brother Zach Cook has been booked for a guest appearance at Oxford, with his Belle Vue team-mate Norick Blodorn stepping in at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday.