Zabik vows to improve (From Bournemouth Echo)

Zabik vows to improve

7:00am Tuesday 29th April 2008 in

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PIRATES new boy Karol Zabik has admitted to co-promoter Matt Ford I'm in a lull at the moment'.

But the struggling Pole has also told his boss he is determined to get himself out of it.

Zabik missed Poole Castle Cover's big home win over Eastbourne last week because he was in hospital suffering gallstones.

He is expected back tomorrow, however, when the Dorset club host Coventry in a Craven Shield, semi-final, first leg, tie.

Ford said: "There were no Polish league fixtures on Sunday so Karol is making his comeback when he rides in Sweden tonight.

"He has every intention of being here tomorrow.

"Karol knows he is in a lull at the moment. He wants to try and ride himself out of it and show he can do a job for us at Poole.

"I have had a talk with him and he is flying in on Wednesday.

"Gallstones come and go, but he said he felt better, although still not 100 per cent.

"If you go into hospital for an operation, like he did last week, there is always a rehabilitation period.

"We just have to accept he is doing his best to get fit."

Ford, meanwhile, revealed Pirate Zbigniew Suchecki was blaming himself for the crash in which he sustained a broken thigh.

The co-promoter said: "Zibi was apologising on the track because Bjarne was saying to everyone after the first heat against Eastbourne on Wednesday go inside or outside, don't go in the centre on the first and second turn because it is tricky'.

"Zibi said to me unfortunately I forgot and went mid track and overcooked it. I just lost concentration and spun the bike around. I couldn't get out of the way when James (Brundle) was heading for me at full pelt'."

Ford added: "As long as there are no complications after his two operations to fix his thigh, Zibi is hoping to be able to leave Poole Hospital and return to Poland by the beginning of next week."

Pirates' boss, meanwhile, has paid tribute to the late Newport promoter Tim Stone, who died of a suspected heart attack on Saturday.

Ford said: "Tim and I have done a few pieces of business with each other over the years with riders being sold and on loan between our two clubs.

"We always had a very good working relationship.

"I considered him to be a friend in the sport and will truly miss him. We always helped each other.

"In fact, I was only on the phone to Tim last Thursday about something and we had a laugh and a joke.

"His death is a terrible shock and he will be sadly missed, not just by us at Poole but by everyone involved in speedway."