SHEFFIELD racer Kyle Howarth has revealed how he would have jumped at the chance of riding in the British Final – but it’s too early.

Howarth is still five weeks away from ending his rehab programme following a shoulder operation in the summer and has reluctantly ruled himself out of the showpiece event at Ipswich on Saturday September 26.

He admits he’s ‘gutted’ at missing out and would have loved to have the chance to have a shot at the national title.

"It's vital I don't do anything to undo the work the operation did," he said. "I'm gutted it's on that date because I would have been well up for it had it been a few weeks later.

"It means I'll be going an entire season without being on the bike but it's also made me more keen and enthusiastic than ever before to be on the bike next season.

"It's great for the sport to have a British Final and I hope everything goes well with it."

Richard Lawson, one of Sheffield’s winter signings, will be in the meeting and as he raced for Ipswich last season he’ll be looking to put his knowledge of the Foxhall Stadium track to good use.

Tigers co-promoter Damien Bates said: “In my opinion Richard has a great chance of winning the title.

“He knows the track well and is a very clever rider. We have wanted him at Sheffield previously and we went close but couldn’t get the move over the line.

“That’s why we were so keen to bring him here for our promotion to the Premiership and it was great when we got him.

“He can be a serious contender for the British title in my view.”

Tickets for the event, which will not be televised as the new deal with Eurosport won't start until next year, are available from speedwaygb.co.uk/britishfinal and cost £20 with 15 and under going free with a contact tracing adult.