Three broken vertebrae for unfortunate Branney.

Following a scan carried out yesterday (Monday) at the Whitehaven Hospital in Cumbria, it has been established that Oxford Silver Machine Academy rider John Branney sustained three broken vertebrae in a crash whilst riding for Premier League club Workington on Saturday.

Doctors have told him that they will shortly be making arrangements for him to be transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Newcastle where they feel his injuries can receive the necessary specialist attention.

John's brother & fellow Oxford rider Craig reports, "obviously John is a little bit shocked to learn of the full extent of his injuries as we all are.

"It's still not clear whether or not he'll have to undergo an operation but that will be decided by specialists once he's in the spinal unit at Newcastle.

"Despite his injuries, John's in good spirits although a little bit miffed that he'll be transferred across the country to Newcastle by ambulance rather that by helicopter which he was hoping was going to happen!"

The Oxford Silver Machine Academy go into this Thursday's double header Conference League meeting with Weymouth and Newport (start time 7pm) needing five points from the two matches to clinch the Conference League Championship.

A two points or more win against Weymouth in the first match and any margin of victory over Newport will see them clinch the championship.

And No.1 Chris Mills says the side are absolutely determined to do so and even more so now that John Branney lies injured in a hospital bed.

"Losing John like this is a bitter blow," he said, "and all our thoughts are with him right now especially as he's been such an important member of our side all year.

"We'll miss him on Thursday for sure but his injury has given us even more incentive, not that we needed any, to go out and win both matches on Thursday."

Promoter Nigel Wagstaff and Academy manager Bryn Williams are currently deciding the best course of action to take to cover for John's absence on Thursday and aren't expected to make a decision until the very last minute.

Chris Mills and Craig Branney will both line-up for what will undoubtedly be their last-ever appearances in Oxford Silver Machine Academy colours.

Both already compete in the Premier League, and also currently double-up in the No. 7 position for the Oxford Elite League team.

Academy team manager Bryn Williams said: "It would be wonderful if Chris and Craig could be part of a Conference League winning side in their final season in the competition.

"They are now both at the stage where the Conference League has served it's purpose for them and it's time for them to move on when looking forward to next year.

"I'm really proud of the way that the team has pulled together at difficult times this season and gained some vital results. We are really close to winning the league now, and I hope that the Oxford public turns up in force on Thursday to cheer the lads on."

Whilst Oxford's Academy team will be aiming for league glory at Cowley this Thursday, the Silver Machine themselves will be in action on the same night at Ipswich's Foxhall Heath Stadium in their final away Skybet Elite League fixture.

And they'll be doing so without top American duo Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill who'll be en route back to their homeland where they'll be competing in the third and final round of the US National championships in California.

Promoter Nigel Wagstaff is busily trying to arrange a guest replacement for Hancock whilst the rider replacement regulations are expected to be utilised to cover for Hamill.

However an added complication is a doubt over the availability of Dane Niels-Kristian Iversen who missed the Silver Machine's away Craven Shield matches at Wolverhampton and Swindon last week.