FORMER Poole Pirates skipper Maciej Janowski has said he would be delighted to see Darcy Ward succeed Neil Middleditch as the club’s team manager.

Janowski and Ward teamed up at Wimborne Road in 2013 with the Polish champion replacing the Australian as captain after he had been suspended in August 2014.

Although Janowski will not race in the Elite League this season after deciding to cut down on his travelling, he has not ruled out a return to Poole in the future.

Ward returned to Queensland just before Christmas to continue his recovery from the serious spinal injuries he suffered in August and plans to head back to Europe later this year.

In a recent interview with the Daily Echo, Ward expressed his desire to manage Pirates – or share the role with Middleditch – in a bid to remain involved in the sport.

And Janowski, who helped Pirates win a hat-trick of Elite League titles, gave his backing to Ward one day fulfilling the position.

“That would be amazing,” he told the Speedway Grand Prix website. “It would put a really big smile on my face if I saw Darcy in the pits.

“It depends what Darcy wants and what Middlo thinks is best for the team. But Darcy, as a person, always puts a smile on my face. He’s a very good friend and it would be good to see him in speedway.

“He’s already part of speedway history – he’s a legend. He’s one of the best riders I have ever met.

“We will always remember him and always help him, and it would be really good to see him around speedway and around Europe when he comes back from Australia. I would be very happy if I meet him around the tracks in Europe.”