Speedway: Davey the first choice to replace injured star Ward (From Bournemouth Echo)

Speedway: Davey the first choice to replace injured star Ward

7:00am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Sport By Ian Wadley

MATT Ford is backing “true blue Pirate” Davey Watt to provide strong cover for absent Poole star Darcy Ward.

The former captain returns to Wimborne Road to face Birmingham tonight after being drafted in as guest cover for Ward.

Pirates suffered a major blow on Sunday when Ward had surgery on a broken hand after suffering the injury while riding for Polish club Torun.

Ward is expected to be on the sidelines for around three weeks and, with no permanent replacement yet secured for Adrian Miedzinski, Poole are facing a battle to continue their record-breaking 16-match winning run.

But Ford is confident club asset and Lakeside rider Watt will prove a strong addition to the ranks this evening (7.30pm).

The Pirates promoter said: “There is no question about it, Darcy has been truly inspirational this season and his psychic riding skills with Chris Holder have been something to savour.

“Of course, we are bound to feel his absence but, in his replacement tonight, we have a true blue Pirate in the shape of Davey Watt.

“I am in no doubt that Davey will revel in the chance to be back riding at Wimborne Road with the Poole colours on and, as soon as we realised Darcy would miss this week, Davey was my first point of contact.”

Under speedway regulations, Poole are not entitled to a facility for Miedzinski other than a rider who averages fewer than six points in the Premier League. Todd Kurtz will fill that role against the Brummies.

Poole: (from) Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Dennis Andersson, Ricky Kling, Sam Masters, Kyle Howarth, Todd Kurtz.

Birmingham: (from) Bjarne Pedersen, Sebastian Ulamek, Ben Barker, Danny King, Martin Smolinski, Josh Auty, Tomasz Piszcz.