DEFENDING champions Wolverhampton Wolves will be without star man Freddie Lindgren for the two-legged SGB Premiership Grand Final this coming week after the Swede was ruled out by injury.

Lindgren crashed heavily in Friday’s semi-final second leg at Belle Vue and remains in hospital with an upper back injury, with the Wolves also without fellow top-two rider Jacob Thorssell, who has suffered an injury to his lower back and is also in hospital.

British rider Chris Harris will replace Lindgren in the Wolverhampton line-up for tomorrow's final first leg at the Abbey Stadium, with the rider replacement facility operating for Thorssell and the same team being used in the second leg at Monmore Green on Wednesday.

Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said: “It must be some sort of record, going into a Grand Final without your top two.

“Our first thoughts have to be with Freddie, what can we say about his performances for this club, not just this year but down the years he’s been magnificent.

“Everyone at Wolverhampton Speedway sends Freddie our best wishes, also to Jacob. It’s disappointing but the priority is for both those guys to recover well and get themselves fit.

“We thank Chris Harris for coming into the side, he never gives less than maximum effort and I’m sure he will do the same again.

“It’s going to take a massive effort from all the boys against a Swindon side who surprised many by finishing top of the Premiership table.

“We’ll be going there with a positive attitude hoping to keep things close before getting back to Monmore on Wednesday.”

Rory Schlein takes over the captaincy from Lindgren and any rider in the side is eligible to take Thorssell’s four programmed outings.

The Robins have been boosted with Adam Ellis declaring himself to ride tomorrow night after suffering a wrist injury in last week's play-off semi final second leg win over Poole Pirates.