FEARS over stricken rider Darcy Ward have not been allayed after the Poole Pirates asset was injured in an horrific crash in Poland.

The 23-year-old Aussie, widely regarded as one of world speedway's brightest talents, fell while riding for Zielona Gora against Grudziadz on Sunday.

Ward underwent a two-and-a-half hour operation and was yesterday described as stable.

Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch, who journeyed to Poland to be at Ward's side, told the Daily Echo: "Darcy could be transported somewhere so a specialist can look at his spinal injuries.

"He also has a broken arm. Although I know what's going on, I can't say too much. It's not very good."

At a press conference yesterday lunchtime, Zielona Gora team doctor Robert Zapotoczny was only able to reveal limited details, admitting that a fuller update would follow within two days.

He said: "Darcy is in a stable condition. He is able to breathe independently. He is conscious and able to answer simple questions. Darcy is able to execute simple actions and recognises other people.

"There will be no further information or details about his injuries. Our next update will be on Wednesday. Two days should give us time to figure out the extent of Darcy’s injuries. Also, he must give his approval to reveal information protected by medical confidentiality."

A Pirates statement issued on Sunday said that Swindon loanee Ward had "no lower body feeling at this time".

As well as Middleditch, riders Chris Holder and Davey Watt journeyed to Poland to support their countryman, while Ward's father is set to arrive from Australia to be with his son.

Last night's scheduled Elite League meeting between Poole and Swindon, in which the two-time world under-21 champion had been due to feature, was postponed.

In an emotional interview with the Daily Echo, Pirates promoter Matt Ford admitted that club officials were desperate to receive positive news about the Queenslander.

He said: “We know it to be a very severe accident.

“He’s our son and we all feel that, especially people like Neil and myself who have worked with him and been great friends and admirers of him.

“Everyone in the club is praying for better news than the news we are currently receiving.”

Reflecting on Monday's postponed clash, Ford told the Pirates website: "All our thoughts and concerns right now are with Darcy and although the adage says 'the show must go on', I really don't feel that any of the riders were in the right frame of mind to go and perform.

"The conditions were likely to be very tricky in any case and with the weather forecast the way it was, I felt it was in the interests of all concerned to abandon our plans to stage."

Ward had completed 10 meetings for Swindon since joining the Blunsdon side on loan at the start of last month.

His arrival had proved the catalyst for a significant play-off push with the former King's Lynn man hitting double figures in all but one of those fixtures, which included a stunning haul of 17 paid 19 at Lakeside.