PROMOTER Matt Ford revealed captain Maciej Janowski would be a “serious doubt” for Monday’s crunch clash with Swindon following tonight’s heart-stopping crash at Lakeside.

Janowski, the top rider in British speedway according to the latest Elite League averages, saw his bike career through the perimeter fence while defending first place in a tight heat-13 battle with home number-one Andreas Jonsson.

The Pirates skipper bailed out just in time and appeared to hit the corner of the air fence at full pelt while his machinery destroyed the wooden barrier at the Arena Essex Raceway.

A shaken Janowski quickly got to his feet before being checked over by medics and miraculously did not require hospital treatment.

However, Ford explained he would be unlikely to risk his sore star and has already set the wheels in motion to secure a guest for Poole’s derby date with the seemingly-irrepressible Robins.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “It was a horrible crash and Maciej does have a problem with his left shoulder.

“That took the brunt of the impact when his bike hit the air fence and when it smashed the fence to smithereens, the broken wood caught him all the way down his back. Unfortunately, that cut him quite badly and he is very second hand.

“With only Coventry and Lakeside not riding on Monday, we have already had a chat with one or two riders to see whether they would fill his place should he not be fit to ride.”

Ford remains hopeful Janowski has avoided any long-term problems and although he left Lakeside in a tender state, the Pirates chief warned supporters not to be surprised if he turns out in Poland on Sunday.

“There is always pressure put on Poles to ride in their own country and it will be no different for Maciej this weekend, particularly as it is a fixture that his club Wroclaw desperately needs to win," he added.

“Clearly, we need the points as well but there is a serious doubt about him riding for us against Swindon.

“Terry Russell (Swindon promoter) was with us tonight and saw the impact of the crash and how bad it was. We will have to wait and see what pans out but we want to give him a bit of time.”