Nicolai Klindt has become the third Wolves rider to suffer injury in the opening month of the campaign.

The Dane dislocated a shoulder last night as he hit the air fence on the first turn of heat eight and is now a doubt for Wolves’ lunchtime Good Friday league match at Belle Vue.

Klindt was left writhing on the track, legs thrashing from side to side, before the race was eventually stopped by referee Dave Watters.

That hesitation on the part of the official left club owner Chris Van Straaten less than impressed.

He said: “He popped a shoulder and his nose was bleeding heavily. We could hear his discomfort from the pits. I was disappointed that the referee took so long and I made my feelings known. Health and safety is paramount.”

Tai Woffinden was another to be left irate by the official. The rider fell after appearing to be caught by Travis McGowan in a typical first-bend bunching incident which usually leads to a re-start.

But the race was allowed to continue, Woffinden remounting and giving vain chase but still finding time to give the official an ironic thumbs up.