THE disciplinary hearing of Poole Pirates asset Darcy Ward has been delayed for a second time.

Ward, who failed an alcohol test ahead of the Latvian Grand Prix in August, had originally been due to learn his fate today.

The FIM Disciplinary Court hearing was rescheduled for Thursday, January 15 but has now been pushed back to Friday, January 30.

Ward has been suspended from all speedway by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) since the offence.

Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "What are they playing at? It's absolutely ludicrous. They are denying the kid a chance.

"He's got mechanics sitting around waiting as they don't know if they have a job and if they need to get bikes ready.

"He's going to have no time to prepare. It's ridiculous."

Ward was a spectator when Pirates secured back-to-back Elite League titles courtesy of victory over King’s Lynn in October.

The suspension also caused the 22-year-old to miss the end of the Polish and Swedish seasons and meant he slipped out of the top eight in the world championship standings.

Last week, Pirates chief Matt Ford refused to ruled Ward out of Pirates' 2015 line-up.

The promoter told the Daily Echo that "anyone up to an 8.97 average is still in the equation".