KYLE Newman admitted he was “disappointed” with Ales Dryml for his part in the crash that left the Pirates reserve with a ruptured thigh muscle.

Newman, who has scored 21 points in two Elite League meetings for Poole this season, suffered a fall while riding for Plymouth at Peterborough in the Premier League Cup on Tuesday.

Following X-rays at hospitals in Peterborough and Dorchester, Newman was informed he had escaped broken bones but the 23-year-old will miss Poole's double-header with Swindon tomorrow and feasibly subsequent meetings.

Currently on crutches, the Poole-born charger admitted he felt Peterborough's Dryml should have handled the incident differently.

Newman, excluded on the night, told the Daily Echo: “I was powering round the outside, I had a good run and there was a gap down the back straight and Dryml moved over at the last minute.

“He was trying to block my run but really he should have left some room and unfortunately I just bounced between him and the fence and went over the handlebars.

“I was disappointed with him because I would have thought such an experienced rider would have known to leave racing room, but unfortunately he didn't.

“What's done is done now and you can't change it.”

Newman will be assessed again this morning but the youngster is in confident mood and has targeted a return within a week.

He added: “I don't think there's anything else wrong, it's just precautionary and the doctor wants to check everything over again.

“I'm happy doing that in order to be safe and not sorry.

“Time-wise we don't really know how long I will be out, but we are looking at Birmingham away on Wednesday. I've just got to see how I'm doing.

“If it's one week, two or three it's a lot better than a whole season out. I'm in high spirits bearing in mind what it could have been.”

Meanwhile, promoter Matt Ford yesterday revealed that Pirates would use Belle Vue asset Stefan Nielsen at reserve in the evening meeting against Swindon. At the time of going to press, no guest had been booked for the morning clash with the Robins.

Elsewhere, the British Speedway Promoters' Association have confirmed that the Elite League double-header against Swindon will also represent both legs of the Elite Shield.