Workington Comets captain Craig Cook has defended his decision to withdraw from the Championship Riders' Individual on Saturday after being hit with a seven-day ban.

The Speedway Control Bureau has imposed a seven-day period of inactivity for the Cleator racer after he pulled out of the meeting due to illness.

He will miss Comets' visit to Glasgow on Friday (7.30pm start), with a guest set to be used at No1, but will be allowed to return to the side for Sunday's trip to Newcastle (4pm start).

In a statement on his website, Cook said: “Since mid-season I have been struggling with health issues which have resulted in my being absent from some racing this season.

“I had every intention of competing in the Championship Riders’ Individual meeting at Glasgow and was quite prepared to make the journey, though in all honesty I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent fit.

“My doctor has recently prescribed alternative medication which resulted in unanticipated side effects that left me no choice but to pull out of the meeting because I was feeling so ill.

“Speedway is a dangerous sport and I did not want to put myself or my fellow riders at unnecessary risk, so I therefore withdrew.

“I can understand that I have received criticism from people who believe that I didn’t care about this meeting, but I can assure you that I hold every meeting in which I participate with great importance.

“I am proud to represent my clubs and country.

"I want to thank Belle Vue and Workington, my sponsors and the fans for their understanding.

"I am continuing to receive treatment and support and I hope to be back to my best in the near future.”

Meanwhile, Matt Williamson's season has ended prematurely after he picked up a foot injury while riding for Buxton on Sunday.

Comets will be forced to use a guest for him in their remaining pair of Championship fixtures.

In a post on social media, Williamson said: "Unfortunately I’m afraid to say my season seems to have ended one week sooner than expected.

"After a trip to accident and emergency I have broken the talus bone in my foot and torn the surrounding ligaments.

"How I carried on and won my next four rides I still don’t know but it just shows how great a season it has been.

"It has been such a good one with huge progression all along and I now can’t wait to see what comes my way for next year.

"Thank you everybody who has helped in any way this year."