SOMERSET Rebels have confirmed the signing of Danish rider Jesper Monberg.

The 1997 world U-21 champion has been recruited as a replacement for compatriot Claus Vissing, who has a long-term collar-bone injury , and is set to make his debut in Friday's (July 27) home Premier League clash with Leicester Lions.

The Rebels were also hit with another injury last week as key rider Sam Masters was ruled out due to wrist injury.

“You have to accept that to lose riders due to injuries is, unfortunately, part and parcel of the sport,” said Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock. “But to have lost two from your top three in successive nights, then that is a bit hard to take.

“Having done the necessary number crunching we realised that Jesper would fit into the line-up as direct cover for Claus, who we think will be the longer term injury between of him and Sam, and he will make his Somerset debut in Friday's home match against Leicester.

“He was a dream to deal with as far as our negotiations were concerned, and he cannot wait to get started and I am sure that the Somerset fans will turn out in force to give him a terrific reception.”

Monberg comes to the Rebels with an excellent pedigree and was a member of Denmark's World Team Cup winning side in 1997, in addition to which he was crowned European Champion in 2005.