DARCY Ward is heading back to Australia to consider what the future holds after accepting: “I may never walk again.”

The speedway world shook yesterday when the 23-year-old Poole Pirates asset, beset by serious spinal injuries since crashing in Zielona Gora, Poland in August, confirmed fans’ fears over his long-term prognosis.

Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch, who has doubled up as father figure and landlord for Ward during his time in the UK, revealed the Aussie ace’s plans to head home centred round the rehabilitation of his upper body rather than any impending visa issues.

Middleditch confirmed there was no significant progress to report on Ward’s current condition but that his hopes of securing a future in motorsport remained undiminished in the wake of his announcement.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Darcy is going back to Australia at some point during the first couple of weeks of December. The cold weather over here is getting to him at the moment and he is fully aware that it is not good for him.

“It will be nice for him to get home for some rehabilitation in the sun. The facilities over there are very good and when he gets there, he will go straight to hospital.

“The visa situation is complicated and a lot of things still need to be looked at before he decides what he wants to do but the main reason for going back is to take advantage of some nice, warm weather.

“I know he wants to come back (to the UK) to get involved in maybe coaching a rider, a team or something along those lines. Once he’s more mobile, he can establish how well he can get around and see what his limitations are.

“But that is a long way off yet. The next few months back home is about taking stock of things and deciding what he and Lizzie (Ward’s partner) are going to do with their future.”

On Ward’s revelation, Middleditch said: “Deep down, we all knew what was happening. Nobody can really say what is going to happen in the future and one thing is for certain, Darcy will never give up.

“Who knows? A year down the line, even two years, there may be a solution but for now, he is getting to grips with his injuries.

“I think he realised straight away that he was seriously injured but nobody spoke about it. This is the first time he has come out and said it and he is accepting it as much as anyone can.

“He has taken it well. He is a young man who has time on his side so we just have to hope and pray that medically, something can help him in the future.”

On Ward’s current condition, Middleditch added: “Nothing has changed really but hopefully, this rehab will help. It boils down to him getting greater mobility.

“It has not been a long time in the bigger picture and we want to get him as much movement as possible in his upper body.

“He is so close to us, it is like seeing your own son in that situation and that is why it hurts Suzi (Middleditch’s wife) and I so much.

“As much as we put on a brave face when he is here, it is very sad, particularly when he goes. After being there to see everything he did in the past, I don’t think that sadness will ever go.”

Ward, speaking for the first time since that fateful day in August, delivered the news of his bleak long-term prognosis but vowed to keep fighting.

He told the Daily Mail: “It’s not good. I’ve got to grips with it now that I may never walk again but I am okay with that. I’ve never been one to focus on the negatives.

“Anything is possible. With technology and medication moving forward, things could change.”