DOCTORS in Oxford are set to try and wake Swindon Robins rider Darryl Ritchings from sedation today following his crash at Blunsdon on Thursday night.

The Purton teenager tangled with Coventry reserve Jason Garrity in heat two before crashing into the safety fence at the Abbey Stadium, around two metres before the start of the air fence entering turn one of lap two.

He was taken to hospital in Swindon on Thursday where it was confirmed he had suffered a broken ankle, as well as possible knee and elbow injuries, but was transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after his condition worsened overnight and bruising was found on his brain.

The young rider, who was realising his dream of riding for his hometown club, is being kept sedated in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. His condition is described as stable.

Ritchings' partner Shelby tweeted from the rider's Twitter account yesterday evening "It's nearly another day, they are going to try and wake him tomorrow! Please keep your fingers crossed, thanks for all your support!"

An earlier tweet said: "just to let everybody know darryl has a broken ankle & bruising on the brain & being kept sedated until swelling goes down. He is in ICU."

Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: "Darryl is under sedation and obviously we are all concerned for the lad.

"The family have asked me to pass on their thanks for all the good wishes for Darryl and I'd ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this time.

"We should know more over the next few days and as and when appropriate we will issue a further update."

The Robins yesterday signed Coventry Storm rider Dan Greenwood as a replacement.