Great Britain international speedway racer Steve Worrall has signed for Workington Comets.

Worrall is Comets' fourth signing for the 2019 season and comes in on a 7.97 average, reduced from 8.17 because he started his career in the National League.

The St Helens-born racer, whose twin brother Richie is also a rider, spent last season with Comets' Knockout Cup final opponents Scunthorpe in the SGB Championship and Belle Vue Aces in the Premiership.

He is the first totally new face to be announced for the club for next season, having previously only ridden for the club as a guest down the years. His former sides at this level include Edinburgh and Newcastle.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the country's top riders and his signing on loan from the Aces will be seen as something of a coup for Workington.

Worrall excelled in the World Cup for Great Britain and finished runner-up to Cleator racer Craig Cook in the British Final in 2017 but was unable to build on that success last year due to a broken leg sustained in his first meeting of the season which set him back.

As a result it was not until mid-July when he had recovered sufficiently to make a full-time track return but, with his recovery from injury now complete, Comets believe he is very capable of raising his average and club owner Laura Morgan was delighted to be able to welcome him to Derwent Park

She said: “Steve is an excellent rider and one that has shown a good liking for Derwent Park down the years as we know.

“Because of his unfortunate leg injury last season I feel that he comes to us on something of a false average and, with the additional recovery time and the close-season to get back to full fitness, I have high hopes for him raising his average next season.

“Steve has always been a popular rider and he has helped us out on several occasions in the past so I very much looking forward to having him in the side on a full-time basis for next season.

“He will fit in well with the rest of the riders we have signed and he is another well respected team man.

"We saw last season the benefits of having a good team spirit and if we can recreate that once again with riders that are capable of increasing their averages then who knows what we can achieve in 2019.”

Worrall joins Mason Campton, Kyle Bickley and Bradley Wilson-Dean in the Workington lineup for next season so far, leaving them with 15.71 points of the new 38-point team building limit for the remaining three riders.