SHEFFIELD favourite Josef Franc will leave it until the last possible moment before deciding whether to race at Rye House tonight (7pm).

Franc crashed out of last night's agonising 48-45 defeat at Somerset and has been in pain overnight.

If he fails to make it the club have no alternative but to operate the rider replacement facility.

Club co-promoter David Hoggart said: "It's too early to make a decision, Pepe had breakfast with the rest of the boys in our hotel this morning and was suffering, but we can only hope it settles down during the day."

Rye House are depleted because of the unavailability of riders who are required on the continent.