DANISH warrior Nicolai Klindt revealed how he had ridden through the pain barrier to help Pirates climb to the top of the SGB Premiership.

Klindt played a key role in Poole’s 47-43 victory over fellow high-fliers Somerset last night – despite sustaining a dislocated left shoulder.

The 29-year-old, who has been in sparkling form since his return to the club in mid-June, suffered the injury either side of registering two crucial heat wins.

Klindt was extremely fortunate to escape serious injury during a coming-together with Somerset's Aaron Summers in heat five.

As the pair duelled for third place heading into the penultimate bend of the final lap, Summers appeared to lean towards Klindt and gave him a shove.

However, while Klindt managed to stay on his bike, Australian Summers lost control and took a crashing fall into the air fence.

Klindt followed home Jason Doyle and Richie Worrall as the heat was awarded and shared, while Summers was able to continue riding after being assessed by track medical staff.

Both riders subsequently pointed the finger of blame at the other, although replays during BT Sport’s coverage of the meeting clearly indicated Summers had been the guilty party.

Klindt, who last season returned to the saddle just 17 days after suffering a serious knee injury, told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know what he was angry about but, when you fall off and another rider is involved, you want to blame it on someone.

“He wasn’t happy with my riding but everyone could see on the television that he came from the side and moved out while I held my line.

“I hate it when people turn left and, yes, I have done it to defend myself but I have seen the replay and I didn’t do it then.

“I passed him down the home straight and I had loads of speed going into the corner so drifted wide because I knew he was going to cut back.

“Where I was in front, I had to turn back to go on the straight and I went up the middle of the track. I saw him coming but didn’t move out.

“He thought he could push me out and rode into my arm. As he was behind me, he ran into me but came off worse.

“Saying that, I dislocated my shoulder. I have had it before where it pops out of the socket. It didn’t go back in until I went on the straight again.

“It didn’t bother me too much when I was riding but I could feel it more and more with every heat I rode.”

Klindt, who scored eight paid nine, added: “It was a great result although we would like to have won by more than four points. But I think we proved we are a force to be reckoned with."

Pirates visit Somerset's Oak Tree Arena on Monday.