Newman vows to return to riding despite setback in recovery from broken neck

Lee Newman, who broke his neck in a fall in Australia earlier this year, has suffered a setback in his recovery and could be out for another three months.

But the former British champion apprentice is confident he will return to the saddle, despite the serious injuries he suffered in a fall at Pinjarrah in Western Australia in January.

Newman, who broke bones in his neck and back and has been wearing a brace since the incident, was expected to be given the all-clear to start preparing for a returning to riding on his latest visit to hospital.

But he revealed: "The surgeon said there is a bit of instability in my neck. It may need surgery to fuse it. Then I could be out another three months after the surgery.

"But I'm quite confident they’ll let me ride again. I'm confident I’ll get back, it's just a matter of time."

Lee Newman: confident he'll return to race ridingCredit: Lee Newman

Newman spent more than five months on the sidelines last year after damaging his spleen and ribs in a pile-up at Ascot in Western Australia, but quickly re-established himself and won the Group 3 La Trice Classic on I'm Feeling Lucky just before his latest fall.

He has offered to coach local apprentices while he is out of action and took advantage of his enforced layoff by making a recent visit to his native Scotland.

"They take really good care of you here – but I've been going out of my mind with boredom!" he said.

Newman, 36, won the apprentice title when with Richard Hannon snr in 2000. After quitting due to weight problems two years later, he returned for another successful stint in the saddle in 2010, only to give up his battle with the scales in 2012.

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