ALUN Rossiter will seek an immediate replacement for Swindon Robins reserve Mitchell Davey after the Australian was placed into intensive care following a horror crash at Birmingham on Wednesday night.

Davey was involved in a four-man spill in heat five at Perry Barr during Brummies’ Knockout Cup quarter-final clash against Mildenhall Fen Tigers.

The race saw Tigers number one Josh Bailey lose control of his machine before Sam Bebee, Callum Walker and Davey all clashed into the 20-year-old.

Davey was treated on track before being rushed into hospital and placed into intensive care overnight.

The former Edinburgh racer's condition improved overnight and was described as conscious and stable on Thursday morning, though he required oxygen to help with his breathing.

While Rossiter’s thoughts were with the 28-year-old upon hearing the news while attending the Premiership Riders’ Championship at Poole, the Robins boss added a quick replacement is his only option going forward.

He said: “I’m not hearing good stories about Mitchell.

“We’re going to have to look at a replacement.

“I’ll be going to the drawing board and have a scout through.”

Early scans revealed Davey suffered a punctured lung, several chipped vertebrae, a broken shoulder blade and 12 broken ribs in the crash.

The Swindon reserve will wait on the results of further tests before knowing if surgery is required.

A statement issued by his team on Thursday morning read: “Following last night’s crash at Birmingham, Mitchell has been admitted to the Critical Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“Mitchell and his family would like to thank the first aiders and ambulance staff at Birmingham Speedway for their response and help immediately after the crash, and to everyone for their messages of support at such a difficult time.”

The statement concluded by confirming Mitchell’s team will issue another update on his condition shortly.

With Robins due to travel to Belle Vue Aces on Monday and Somerset Rebels on Wednesday, before hosting Wolverhampton Wolves at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday, Alun Rossiter confirmed he will have to act fast to find a replacement.

Rossiter must either replace Davey’s position with a guest rider or look to make an immediate signing.

“It depends what I can do and who’s available,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve got many options.

“Until I find out more I can’t say much.”

Elsewhere Robins skipper Nick Morris was fortunate to escape injury after crashing at high speed during Wednesday night’s Premiership Riders’ Championship in Poole.

The 23-year-old clipped the fence on the backstraight when approaching full speed before falling awkwardly from his bike onto the shale.

After spending time on the track being checked over, Morris rose to his feet and continued with the meeting – scoring two points from his remaining two rides.

Rossiter said: “Nick (Morris) was a little bit unfortunate and got caught out by the fence.

“But he got the quickest time of the season again, so he’s certainly on the gas.

“Fingers crossed he can keep improving.”