PIRATES promoter Matt Ford believes a return to England will allow Darcy Ward to receive the best possible care and support in his battle against serious injury.

Ward underwent spinal surgery following an horrific crash in Poland on Sunday and it was yesterday announced that the Poole asset was set to travel back to Britain for further treatment.

And Ford explained that a return to familiar shores would be the best course of action for the 23-year-old Aussie, who has had Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch and riders Chris Holder and Davey Watt by his bedside since the accident.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “It’s a very hard time for Darcy and everyone connected with him. Your thoughts go first and foremost to Darcy and his family and then to his many great friends. It’s hard for anyone to be positive at this moment in time.

“It is better to have him in England because he can speak with confidence to the people that are giving him treatment.

“Also, it means that Chris and Middlo, who have sat with him for the entire time, can return home but will be very close and will be able to see him as regularly as is humanly possible, along with everybody else from the club and his friends.

“In time I hope that will open up to other people as well but for the moment, let’s just get him back. I know he’d prefer to be here and it’s an easier situation to deal with if he’s here rather than in another country.

“It’s very difficult to say what hospital he will be allowed into because clearly that is on an availability basis but, hopefully, it will be somewhere fairly local.”

Further details of Ward’s injuries were not released at a press conference yesterday at the request of the rider’s family.

Mark Lemon has been instrumental in the drive to bring Ward back to Britain, with the Australia team manager hoping that Salzburg-based spinal injury foundation Wings for Life may be able to help the Queenslander in the long term.

Ford added: “Great thanks must go to Mark, who has been very proactive in dealing with Wings for Life and has worked tirelessly to bring Darcy back home as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Wimborne Road promoter has reiterated Holder’s call for supporters not to donate cash towards Ward’s cause before an official fund is set up.

Ford added: “I would agree with Chris. We don’t want to rush this. At this point in time, finances are not the most pressing issue.

“It’s about making sure Darcy is as comfortable as possible and once we have all the details of how we can make his life better, let’s go full steam ahead and do what we can collectively.”