NEIL Middleditch has vowed to keep overriding his personal anguish over Darcy Ward’s plight in order to support the injured star – and wants the Poole Pirates faithful to join him.

The Wimborne Road manager spoke at length for the first time since a crash in Poland nine days ago left Ward, who lives with the Pirates boss in Sturminster Marshall, with spinal injuries.

Ward’s long-term prognosis has yet to be disclosed at the request of the 23-year-old and his family but he is being cared for in the UK with his support network enlisting the help of spinal injury foundation Wings for Life.

But despite the speedway world still reeling from shock, Middleditch has called for Pirates fans to be as upbeat as possible when the team, including Ward's close friends Chris Holder and Davey Watt, returns to action against play-off rivals King's Lynn tonight (7.30pm).

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “At the moment, Darcy is comfortable in hospital and well aware of the good wishes that are coming through. He is overwhelmed by it all and passes on his thanks to everybody.

“His mum, dad and brother are over here and by his side so he has somebody with him every day.

“It is a long road to recovery but he is in the best possible hands. It is early days yet and these things take time so we just have to let him rest up and start to heal.

“Everybody knows the goodwill is out there for Darcy, you only have to look at the support received from every corner of the globe, every club and every supporter. It is incredibly touching.

“We are all just hoping now but hope is a great thing.

“You just have to be strong for Darcy. My wife, Suzi, and I are both devastated, the same as everyone is but what can you say?

"There are no words to describe how I feel and or how anybody feels. It is a terrible time for Darcy, his mum and dad and everyone who knows him but we have to be strong for them. We have to keep going."

On the King's Lynn meeting, he continued: “It is a sad and cruel fact that accidents like this have happened before and will happen again. 

“Unfortunately, life has to go on in speedway. Our thoughts will stay with Darcy, of course they will, but I think we have to get on with business as usual as best we can and I am sure Darcy understands that. 

“It is not going to be a happy event, that’s for sure, but we are all professionals and have to get on with things. We have a job to do."

Maximum points from their remaining three fixtures – which are scheduled to finish with a trip to Leicester on Thursday and a home meeting against Swindon on Monday – would rubber stamp their place at the summit and their pick of opponents in the play-offs.

“Perhaps we wouldn’t have expected to be in this position a few weeks ago but we still have plenty of work to do,” added Middleditch.

“We have Leicester to go to and while they’ve had a tough time, they will track a strong team against us.

“It is going to be tough but I get the feeling the boys will be up for it and we just have to push for that top spot now.”

The Stars will be without second stringer Vaclav Milik, who has withdrawn his services citing his wish to take a break from the UK. Richard Lawson will guest.

Josh Bates rides in place of the injured Lewis Kerr at reserve for King’s Lynn.

Poole: Kacper Gomolski, Chris Holder, Maciej Janowski, Dakota North, Dave Watt, Kyle Newman, Paul Starke. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

King’s Lynn: Kenneth Bjerre, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Robert Lambert, Richard Lawson (guest), Nicklas Porsing, Josh Bates (guest), Ashley Morris. Team manager: Rob Lyon.