WORLD championship leader Greg Hancock insisted Darcy Ward would make a "great coach" as he backed the former Pirates star to return to speedway.

Ward continues to undergo intense rehabilitation Down Under having suffered serious spinal injuries in a career-ending crash in Poland one year ago today.

Although Ward's focus is firmly on matters at Making Strides, a rehabilitation centre in his home state of Queensland, the 24-year-old has expressed a desire to become actively involved in speedway once more.

Poole team manager Neil Middleditch admitted in April that he would be honoured to show Ward the ropes of team management if that was the route the two-time world under-21 champion wished to take.

And now American legend Hancock, still ahead of his peers on the global stage at the age of 46, has thrown his support behind Wimborne Road favourite Ward coaching riders in the shale sport.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Hancock said: "I'm sure you are going to see more of Darcy in some way. I don't know anything about it but something tells me that kid is going to do something more in the sport.

"He will be involved somewhere. Speedway is his life and I hope he tries to do something with it. It's what he knows best so I hope he will jump in and get involved somewhere or put on some races.

"He would be a great coach, he could do something like that. The opportunities are endless for that guy and I really hope he stays involved in the sport.

"The more inspiration we can give to keep him involved, the more he will stay involved."

Hancock played his part in the #WALK4DARCY initiative which saw Grand Prix reporter Steve Brandon and his son Jack raise money for Ward by walking 200 miles from King's Lynn's Adrian Flux Area to the Principality Stadium ahead of the British Grand Prix in July.

California-born Hancock walked the final section of the route with a number of other leading figures in the sport as well as fans, the finale taking place on the track in Cardiff.

Hancock added: "It's a really good cause and hats off to Steve Brandon and his son for all the work they put in.

"It turned out well and I'm sure Darcy is grateful and I'm glad I got to be a part of it.

"Sometimes things can fall away with riders and their injuries but this guy is something else.

"He touched a lot of people and people want to help him and keep it going. They are helping and inspiring him to want to do more."

Reporter Brandon raised more than £20,000 for Ward with the cash set to go towards setting up a gym at the Australian's house.

That included a £200 donation from Sky presenter Dave Clark, who is next month set to undertake a 200-mile walk to raise funds for Parkinson's UK.