NEIL Middleditch is hoping the Middle East sun will shed light on Poole Pirates’ team-building plans and solve the persistent puzzle of star asset Darcy Ward.

Team boss Middleditch was today due to fly to Abu Dhabi where he and promoter Matt Ford will enjoy the final Formula One Grand Prix of the year and discuss potential Pirates line-ups for 2015.

With Aussie charger Ward still indefinitely suspended by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and no decision on a ban expected until January, Middleditch admits that the Elite League reigning champions are in a difficult situation.

However, the former Great Britain boss insists that he expects to return from Abu Dhabi – his first trip to the emirate since racing in the Craven A Masters in 1979 – knowing the way forward.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Now that we know what the points limit is, we can start assembling a team but our hands are tied with Darcy as we don’t know what’s going to happen to him.

“He has been told his disciplinary hearing is going to be in January so whether we will have to go ahead and plan without Darcy, I don’t know. I’m sure myself and Matt will have a long chat over a few gin and tonics and see what our options are.

“Matt will be on the ball with averages and teams and I’m sure we’ll come back from holiday knowing basically what we’re going to go with.

“We will have to make a decision whether we plan with or without Darcy. No rider is bigger than the team so we have to think of Poole Pirates as a team and not just one rider, so it’s a tough call.”

Ward, who was suspended following a failed alcohol test at the Latvian Grand Prix in August, no longer faces an operation on the ruptured knee ligament that he sustained at the New Zealand Grand Prix in April.

Middleditch has once more urged the FIM to reach a verdict on the 22-year-old as he believes all parties – including Ward’s Polish and Swedish clubs – have suffered enough.

“Whatever Darcy has done wrong, he is being punished now and Poole, Torun and Piraterna are also being punished,” added Middleditch.

“What are they going to do to the guy, crucify him? We’d like to know what the punishment is because all three clubs are trying to run a business.”