SHEFFIELD have confirmed former skipper Ricky Ashworth doesn’t feature in their 2012 team plans.

The Sheffield Window Centre-backed club are hoping to unveil two more new signings before Christmas as they completely revamp their team.

But co-promoter David Hoggart says the decision to release Ashworth, who has been at the club for a decade, was an agonising one.

He said: “I have a lot of experience in business, dealing with various people, and I can honestly say the call I had to make to Ricky was one of the hardest I have ever made.

“He’s a great lad and I regard him as a pal. Speedway is a numbers game when it comes to team building and sometimes people are unlucky.

“Ricky has been a credit to Sheffield Speedway and I sincerely hope this isn’t the end of him in Tigers colours. I would like to think he can go away for a year and come back in the future to feature in our team . I wish him well.

“In the meantime we are doing everything we possibly can to try and help Ricky get fixed up elsewhere.”