INJURED ace Darcy Ward has displayed further signs of progress by operating a manual wheelchair under his own steam. 

Ward, 23, has been hospitalised with spinal injuries for the past four weeks after a crash while riding in Poland. 

The Aussie ace had been bedbound for much of that time, going through a painstaking number of tests and physiotherapy sessions at a private hospital in the UK. 

But Poole Pirates team manager and close friend Neil Middleditch reported that Ward had been buoyed by the latest development.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “They have got Darcy in a wheelchair now and he is able to move himself around, which is good news but it is a very slow road. 

“Chris (Holder) and I went to see him before the meeting at Coventry and he is in slightly better spirits but as you would expect, he still has good and bad days. 

“There has been no further development on what the future may hold, it is a case of giving it time. With things like swelling, the picture is not complete.

"He is due to have more scans next week so we will have to take it from there.” 

Meanwhile, Middleditch reiterated his “overwhelming” gratitude for the ongoing fundraising effort for Ward being driven across the globe. 

“It is so important to keep it rolling as best we can,” he added. 

“People have been and continue to be so generous with everything going on round the world and I know Darcy is so touched by the outpouring of emotion from the whole sporting world, not just from fans of speedway.

“Every little helps towards his rehabilitation.” 

LINK: CONTRIBUTE TO DARCY WARD'S FIGHTING FUND

Meanwhile, promoter Matt Ford has tasked Poole with securing a third straight Elite League championship for the stricken star. 

Pirates face a home semi-final shootout with Coventry tonight (7.30pm) after a 45-45 draw at Brandon on Friday for the right to face either Belle Vue or Swindon over two legs in the final. 

Ford told the Poole website: "We have an extra reason to do well now this year and that is so we can dedicate a title to Darcy Ward who remains, as ever, in the forefront of our minds.

"The prize is big and with us sitting on two consecutive titles, our goal all year has been to try and secure a rare hat-trick."

Edward Kennett guests at number three after Dakota North was given compassionate leave on medical advice.

READ: Coventry promoter Horton seething over Poole Pirates guest booking

The Bees have made two late changes of their own, opting for rider replacement for Joonas Kylmakorpi instead of drafting in Wolves rider Freddie Lindgren.

Reserve Jason Garrity, injured against Poole on Friday, is replaced by Josh Bates.

Pirates: (from) Kacper Gomolski, Chris Holder, Edward Kennett (guest), Maciej Janowski, Davey Watt, Kyle Newman, Paul Starke. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

Coventry: (from) Hans Andersen, Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth, Danny King, rider replacement for Joonas Kylmakorpi, Josh Bates (guest), James Sarjeant. Team manager: Gary Havelock.