DARCY Ward insisted he would return to British speedway when his ban finishes at the end of this month and revealed that four Elite League clubs had enquired about his services.

The Poole Pirates asset confirmed he was unlikely to make an immediate return to Wimborne Road with promoter Matt Ford reluctant to break up a side that has won six of its past seven Elite League meetings.

Ward, 23, politely declined to name the quartet of clubs but revealed one of the options had attracted his attention more than the others.

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The Aussie ace, banned for 10 months having failed an alcohol test prior to the Latvian Grand Prix in August last year, is eligible to return to the shale sport from midnight on June 27.

Asked whether he planned to make an immediate return in the UK, Ward told the Daily Echo last night: “For sure, I’m only going to be riding for four months so I want to get out there as much as I can.

“I have always wanted to ride in England and, of course, Poole is where I want to ride but the team is going really well and I do not want to come in and intrude.

“It is not my decision and not up to me to push to get in at Poole. There are a couple of (loan) offers and one I would really like to take, so I hope Matt (Ford) does not stop me if it is possible.

“There are probably four teams, which is good. There is one that stands out that I would want to take. I would take a couple of the others but there is one I definitely want to push for.

“Matt has already told me that it probably won’t happen at Poole this year so I am pushing for the other team, unless Matt tells me otherwise.

“My average is quite high so it will not be an easy task to get me into any team. I may have to go somewhere else (other than his first-choice loan club) and stick it out for a couple of months but I will put in 110 per cent no matter where I ride."

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter told Total Sport Swindon that the club had not made contact with Ward but said the Aussie was a talent "any team manager would have to consider".

On the prospect of facing Poole, Ward quipped: “It would be strange. The hardest part would be walking round to the other side of the pits to watch the other guys!

“But seriously, there will be no sympathy for any of the Poole riders if I go up against them. I would ride just as hard as I always have for Poole because I get paid to do a job. I definitely wouldn’t go soft on anyone.”