POOLE Pirates boss Neil Middleditch admits lodger Darcy Ward’s decision to ride for Swindon could destroy the domestic bliss at Chateau Middlo.

The Aussie ace’s hotly-anticipated loan move to Poole’s fierce adversaries, initially reported by the Daily Echo a fortnight ago, was confirmed today.

Ward’s 10-month ban for failing an alcohol test ahead of the Latvian Grand Prix last year scuppered his hopes of starting the season for Pirates with promoter Matt Ford unwilling to change a winning team to draft in his prized asset.

Middleditch, whose Sturminster Marshall home doubles up as Ward’s European base, revealed he had shared concerns with the 23-year-old over opting for Blunsdon but stopped short of railroading his star attraction.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “I did speak with Darcy made it clear I wouldn’t want to go into battle with him in the play-offs. It would be ludicrous really but all I could do was let him know my opinion and I did.

“He is his own man. Leicester was never an option because they ride on a Saturday and he has never liked riding at Lakeside.

“Life is going to be different once he starts riding again, that's for sure and it will be difficult seeing a set of Swindon kevlars hung up with my laundry!”

And while the architect of six top-flight triumphs at Wimborne Road does not wish to play the blame game, Middleditch still cannot comprehend Ward challenging for honours with a different club.

“I fully understand he has to earn a living but I do feel like it’s a kick in the teeth because Poole have stood by him through thick and thin," added Middleditch.

“I feel disappointed because he could make a difference for Swindon at our expense. I don’t want to blame Darcy, he needs to ride but it is so difficult to take and I cannot pretend I am happy about it.

“You can’t knock Swindon either, they want to do everything in their power to make the play-offs and I am not disappointed in Darcy himself, more at how things have turned out.

“The way loan arrangements work is one of speedway’s funny rules that people outside the sport cannot understand. It will be strange but it is just one of those situations and I just hope it doesn’t come back to haunt us in the play-offs.”

However, despite his disappointment, Middleditch was quick to defend Ford’s decision not to change the side.

“I think Matt did the right thing. You never want to break up a winning combination and the cost of two riders would probably have made us weaker,” said Middleditch.

“As good as Darcy is, he is not two riders and the boys have got us to where we are. While there may be question marks over the form of some of them, we will attend to that if and when the time comes.”