Tacey suffered the injury after taking a heavy tumble during Heat 10 of Wednesday's Premier League victory over Stoke at the Norfolk Arena.

Medics confirmed Lynn's worst fears at the weekend and Tacey, who has taken several bad tumbles in the last few weeks, will now miss the remainder of the season.

With such a shortage of riders to replace him, the Stars will have to use rider replacement in his absence for the rest of the season.

Co-Promoter Jonathan Chapman said: "When we took Shaun on at the beginning of the season he wasn't a crowd favourite, but during this season he has proved what a great rider he can be and has won the hearts of most of the fans.

"He has been slightly unlucky with crashes so far this season, cracking three new helmets in the process.

"It is sad to see his season end like this as it would have been great to have him with us in the play-offs.

"Hopefully we will see him here in the pits helping the team even though he won't be able to go out there and race."

The battered and bruised Tacey will be a spectator in the stands when the Stars host the Isle of Wight Islanders tomorrow night.

Former Lynn target Richard Sweetman makes his debut at the Norfolk Arena for the Isle Of Wight tomorrow.

Sweetman is joined by fellow Australian James Holder, plus an array of other great racers including Jason Bunyan and Krtstof Stajanowski.

Lynn team boss Rob Lyon believes the Islanders pose a real threat and said: "The Isle of Wight ride a big track week in, week out and with the only difference in the past being that ours is grippier.

"In the last few meetings Buster has slickened the track off and this has provided some closer racing.

"If the Islanders find their feet quickly we could be in trouble as they have real strength in depth with Sweetman at reserve.

"With Kozza as his opposite number they should have some good jousts as they have spent most of their childhood racing together."

Lynn currently sit third in the Premier League standings and have already guaranteed themselves a spot in the end-of-season play-offs.

Edinburgh's victory at Stoke on Saturday has almost secured the Monarchs the league title but second place is still very much up for grabs.

Stars: 1 Kevin Doolan 10.26, 2 Shaun Tacey r/r, 3 Tomas Topinka 9.25, 4 Simon Lambert 5.51, 5 Rusty Harrison 6.45, 6 John Oliver 4.76, 7 Kozza Smith 4.94.

Isle of Wight: 1 Jason Bunyan 7.14, 2 James Holder 5.37, 3 Krystof Stojanowski 6.83, 4 Paul Fry 6.69, 5 Glen Phillips 6.81, 6 Andrew Bargh 3.55, 7 Richard Sweetman 4.00.