CONCERNED Pirates chief Matt Ford fears Hans Andersen's season may be over.

The Danish star withdrew from last night's meeting at Leicester – in which Poole suffered a 52-38 defeat – following a collision with Pirates guest Max Fricke.

Andersen was kept in hospital in Leicester overnight before returning to Denmark this morning and Ford reported that the former Grand Prix charger had sustained a broken finger and a head injury.

Ford confirmed it was too late for Pirates to make permanent team changes, with Krzysztof Kasprzak enlisted to guest for Thursday's home fixture against Belle Vue.

The promoter told the Daily Echo: "I only know Hans has a broken finger on his left hand. We are waiting for a proper diagnosis because he also hit his head quite badly.

"The loss of Hans, which we believe will probably be his season end, is a major loss.

"There's never a good time for these things but of course when we can't bring anyone else in at this point, it does make life very difficult."

Ford is hopeful Chris Holder will be fit for the clash with Belle Vue after the Aussie ace pulled out of yesterday's trip to Leicester due to toothache and a migraine.

Earlier in the day, the Sydneysider had bagged a 10 paid 11 haul in the 49-41 loss to the Aces at the National Speedway Stadium.

Ford added: "I'm hoping Chris will be fit to return but we will have to take that as it comes over the next day or two.

"I'm hoping he has managed to arrange something to get the problem solved."