Newport Wasps' Welsh-born speedway rider Tony Atkin today spoke of the slow-motion agony he suffered in an accident which could put him out of action for up to three months.

Atkin received a broken left arm in a three-machine pile-up during Wasps' opening home Premier League meeting with Rye House on Sunday, Wasps losing 47-42.

The accident happened in the fifth heat when former Newport rider Steve Masters (Rye House) fell, causing Atkin to tumble before team-mate Carl Wilkinson became the third rider to be involved.

The 38-year-old Atkin was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital after receiving lengthy treatment on the track. The top part of his arm was pinned in a three-hour operation but there were added complications affecting his lungs and he was placed on the high dependency ward.

Atkin said: "After the operation I couldn't breath properly which is why I am on this ward. But I am on the road to recovery now. The arm feels good and there is not much pain. I feel fine, but on Monday I was in a real state."

Before he leaves hospital he will speak with the surgeon, Atkin adding: "He said that it could be up to 12 weeks but with speedway riders it could be less. I just don't know until I have spoken to him again.

"It was a simple crash - a freak accident - but sometimes they turn out to be the worst and it has really knackered me. I feel more sorry for Tim Stone (Wasps' promoter). I feel a lot for Newport and the last place I want to be is in here. I want to be out on the track trying to put things right."

Atkin, who gave up grass-track racing to concentrate totally on speedway when he switched from Stoke to Newport, has broken the left arm in various places on three occasions, including the wrist and elbow.

"I can't remember exactly how the accident happened. But my arm was trapped when Carl's machine struck me. It was not a pretty sight, but now everything is all right."