PIRATES captain Chris Holder has revealed positive news on his knee injury – with no surgery required.

The world champion’s golden season came to a premature end when he sustained multiple injuries riding for Poole last month.

Holder was hospitalised after being involved in a big smash during Pirates’ Knockout Cup semi-final second leg at Peterborough.

The Australian star suffered a broken rib, a broken tibia and knee ligament damage in the heavy collision.

But he yesterday confirmed that he would not need to go under the knife as had been initially feared.

Posting on his Twitter feed, Holder confirmed he did not need a knee operation and said he would have to stay in a leg brace for a further five weeks before having intensive physiotherapy.

That means he looks certain to be fully fit in time to begin the defence of his Grand Prix crown next March.