CHRIS Holder last night confirmed he needed surgery after learning the extent of the injuries he suffered in his horror smash at Peterborough.

The world champion’s golden season came to a premature and unwanted halt when he sustained multiple injuries in a big crash last Thursday.

Holder was hospitalised after being involved in a serious track collision during Pirates’ Knockout Cup semi-final second leg against the Panthers.

The Australian ace already knew that he had a broken rib and a broken tibia but had been unsure about the severity of his knee ligament damage.

Speaking after Pirates’ Knockout Cup triumph at Wimborne Road last night, the upbeat Bearwood-based star reported positive news.

He said an MRI scan at Spire Southampton Hospital late yesterday had showed the leg problems to not be as bad as initially feared.

Holder, who won his maiden Grand Prix title this year, is now expecting to see a specialist in London in the next 48 hours. He is likely to undergo an operation in the next seven days and begin his recovery in a bid to regain full fitness in time for next season.

Holder will want to be up and running to begin the defence of his world championship at the opening GP of 2013 in New Zealand in March.

The 25-year-old was given a big boost when the Wimborne Road faithful afforded him a hero’s welcome as he arrived at the stadium last night.

Having headed straight to the track following his hospital visit, Holder received a huge roar as he used crutches to make his way on to the centre green to join the celebrations as Pirates retained the Knockout Cup.