Things not getting any easier for Monarchs.

There was some bad news for Edinburgh's Fulfilment Factory Monarchs' supporters last night, as it emerged that neither Peter Carr nor Aidan Collins would be fit to return to their team for this Friday's Premier League match against title-chasing Berwick.

The Monarchs have still to fix up a guest replacement for Carr - who decided on Wednesday that he was unfit to resume - while Peterborough's Conference League Australian Shane McCabe will stand in at number seven for Collins. Dutch star Theo Pijper will be available to ride at number six, however, even though he has a major European Championship grasstrack event the following day.

Carr's withdrawal from the Premier League Riders' Championship as well as Friday's league match will allow Frede Schott to qualify. Although his average is below the other 16 number ones, and only 16 riders ride in the meeting, Trelawny's Chris Harris has pulled out in order to compete in the World Under-21 Championship, allowing Schott a shot as his average exceeds that of Trelawny's number two.

Edinburgh, along with Reading and Rye House, have suffered badly with injuries in the last few weeks and, on top of this, Edinburgh - along with Scottish neighbours Glasgow - have had desperate problems with the weather. Four Armadale meetings have been rained off and many have been rain-affected, causing considerable financial losses.

Amongst the gloom of these factors, however, the progress of their younger element is providing a silver lining for the Monarchs, who have rarely had such an abundance of promise in their ranks. Rory Schlein (now 18), Magnus Karlsson (20) and Theo Pijper (22) have very little UK racing experience between them, but have all made great strides during 2002. All are in their first full season in Britain, and neither Karlsson nor Pijper had raced for a British club prior to 2002.

So the season may well be remembered favourably for their efforts if little else!