PETERBOROUGH bosses are attempting to beat the clock to bring in a new face.

Readypower Panthers chief Ged Rathbone confirmed the club are keen to name a short-term replacement for injury victim Adam Roynon.

But any signing must be lodged with the British Speedway Promoters’ Association at 72 hours before a meeting.

Therefore Peterborough must swoop before 1pm tomorrow for a new recruit to be available to face Somerset Rebels in a Premier League Cup Southern Group opener at the East of England Showground on Sunday (March 22).

Rathbone said: “We don’t feel it would be beneficial to operate the rider replacement facility for any length of time.

“We would much prefer to go down the road of bringing in a temporary replacement for Adam.

"We are still assessing our options but I must make it very clear that any signing would only be for the short-term. Adam will return to the team as soon as he is able to do so.”

Rathbone admitted a couple of attempts to make a signing this week have not come off.

Adam Ellis, who impressed for the GB Select team as the curtain went up on the new season last Sunday, was unable to take up an offer from Panthers as it would have made him ineligible to race in the National League for Birmingham.

Rathbone also attempted to persuade Australia and Belle Vue team manager Mark Lemon to come out of retirement without success.