NEIL Middleditch has jumped to Darcy Ward’s defence after he was branded “irresponsible” by some Pirates fans for sustaining injuries in a moto-cross crash.

Ward broke his shoulder and wrist when he fell while training at an organised moto-cross practice near Salisbury on Wednesday.

The world under-21 champion hopes to be back on a bike in “four or five weeks”, with Jason Doyle called up by Poole Castle Cover to temporarily replace Ward.

But the teenager looks set to miss Pirates’ opening three league meetings, their two-legged Elite Shield tussle with Wolves and home and away challenges against Eastbourne.

The timing and nature of how Ward sustained the injuries has been questioned by some Poole supporters on the club’s official website fans’ forum.

But Pirates team manager Middleditch said: “Darcy was trying to keep fit and you can’t blame him for that.

“It was a really innocuous fall. He fell awkwardly.

“They have to keep fit. You can’t simulate speedway in the winter, apart from riding moto-cross.

“It’s one of the most physically demanding motorsport disciplines there is.

“Darcy has been lambasted for trying to keep fit and people should get off his back about it.

“People have been saying we should stop them from riding moto-cross, but you can’t stop them doing it.

“Perhaps once the season starts they should put a cap on it, but during the winter, they should do it.”

Middleditch, whose charges visit Eagles tomorrow without unavailable Rafal Dobrucki, added: “Darcy has a cast on his wrist and is in a lot of pain.

“We’ll get him fixed up but don’t want him rushing back so he gets another injury and is out for longer.

“Jason was offered a team place somewhere else but wanted to help Poole out.

“He is a real fitness fanatic, so we don’t have any doubts over his health following his crashes in the Australian Championship.

“It’s a chance for him to put himself in the shop window.”

Eagles: 1 B Pedersen, 2 Bridger, 3 Gustafsson, 4 Woodward, 5 Kylmakorpi, 6 L Dryml, 7 Lampart.

Pirates: 1 Holder, 2 Gafurov, 3 Doyle, 4 R/R for Dobrucki, 5 Watt, 6 Hefenbrock, 7 Andersson.