TEAM boss Neil Middleditch insists Darcy Ward’s spontaneous nature will prevent Australia’s Speedway World Cup disappointment affecting his performance for Poole Pirates.

Ward suffered an indifferent evening with 10 points from six heats in last night's final and despite a late flourish, the Aussies finished two points shy of champions Denmark in Bydgoszcz.

Poole’s main man is back on his bike for domestic duty in Poland today before returning to the UK for Pirates’ trip to Wolverhampton Wolves tomorrow (7.30pm).

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “By his own high standards, it probably wasn’t the greatest World Cup for Darcy. He will be disappointed but as a character he is quite laid back and that is one of his strengths.

“No matter who you are, you will always have indifferent meetings. You have to put them behind you pretty quickly and get on with it and Darcy is great doing just that.

“He is the sort of rider who just wants to win every race and he’ll do what comes naturally regardless. He’s our leader and he won’t pay attention to past results.”

Poole travel to Monmore Green with a full complement of riders to face a Wolves outfit sporting two recent team changes.

Veteran Peter Karlsson has rejoined the Black Country outfit while Danish prospect Lasse Bjerre has also been drafted in.

Middleditch added: “Wolves are always good round Monmore Green and with a couple of new signings will be a real tough nut to crack.

“PK (Karlsson) has ridden there for many years and I would expect him to bang in some points. Lasse Bjerre is a capable young rider but I’m not too sure what his form is like round Wolverhampton.

“We’ve had some success there in the past but it is a tricky little track and the first objective is to make sure we come away with a point. I would consider that job done and anything more would be a bonus.”

Wolves: (from) Tai Woffinden, Jacob Thorssell, Peter Karlsson, Lasse Bjerre, Piotr Pawlicki, Joe Jacobs, Tom Perry. Team manager: Peter Adams.

Pirates: (from) Darcy Ward, Josh Grajczonek, Shamek Pawlicki, Vaclav Milik, Maciej Janowski, Kyle Newman, Brendan Johnson. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.