DARCY Ward is understood to be flying back to Australia this weekend in order to sort out a visa for his imminent move to Swindon.

The Robins are thought to be waiting for the green light before announcing the Poole Pirates asset as their new number one but Ward’s return to his homeland could see the situation resolved within a week.

The Daily Echo reported on Tuesday that Ward, whose ban for failing an alcohol test at the Latvian Grand Prix last year gets lifted at midnight, is set to join his parent club’s arch rivals for the rest of 2015.

Despite the 23-year-old’s talismanic status at Wimborne Road, promoter Matt Ford remains reluctant to break up Poole’s successful top five to accommodate his Aussie ace.

That left Ward with his pick of up to four top-flight clubs with fierce speculation suggesting strugglers Lakeside and play-off chasers Swindon were leading the chase.

Robins boss Alun Rossiter, whose has seen his side decimated by injury and unavailability this season, admitted his interest in Ward but rebuffed rumours that a deal had been finalised.