PROMOTER Matt Ford has revealed he may not replace suspended talisman Darcy Ward for Poole Pirates' Elite League title push.

The Wimborne Road chief admitted he was likely to track a six-man team and utilise the rider replacement facility for Ward in Monday's play-off semi-final first leg at King's Lynn.

Ward has been indefinitely suspended from all speedway since August 28 having failed an alcohol test prior to the Latvian Grand Prix, a verdict which left Ford unable to draft fill Poole's top slot.

Pirates used a series of guests to fill their top berth during the regular-season run-in but with most of the better options already taking part in the end-of-season shootout, Ford suggested he would stick with what he knows.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Ford said: “As it's looking at the moment we'll probably go with rider replacement for Darcy Ward.

“It looks like nothing will change with his suspension. We're not expecting a decision before October or November and it is my opinion that we're looking at next year before he's back.

“The fact of the matter is you just cannot replace Darcy. There are one or two riders out there but the majority of the top heat leaders are already involved in the play-offs.

“It leaves us with very few options to choose from and it could be in the best interests of the club to go with what we have.

“When you're trying to replace a nine-point rider and your options are possibly limited to bringing in someone with a six-point average, you're better off giving an extra ride to the guys you have available.

“We will have another quick look at it but we're certainly preparing to use rider replacement in the first leg.”

Pirates are set to track Belle Vue's Craig Cook for the crocked Josh Grajczonek while Shamek Pawlicki and Vaclav Milik are on course to return from their respective injury setbacks.

But having picked the Stars in the end-of-season shootout, Ford's inclination to go without a guest for Ward seems to have been prompted by man-of-the-moment Maciej Janowski.

“It's hard going to take on these guys when you're struggling without your top man,” added Ford.

“I'm sure King's Lynn will be feeling the same being without Niels-Kristian Iversen, although you have to say they do have ready-made number one in Kenneth Bjerre.

“Maciej has certainly improved dramatically over the past two or three months, at just the right time for us and himself individually.

“Barring any monumental mishaps, he will be riding in the 2015 Grand Prix and on current form there are not many riders you would take ahead of him for the play-offs.”