Speedway: Pirates could replace Hans Andersen for play-offs

Andersen’s British season was plunged into turmoil when he broke the ring finger on his left hand during Poole’s defeat at Leicester on Bank Holiday Monday.

The former Grand Prix star missed Thursday’s win over Belle Vue and will be covered by guest Scott Nicholls when the Elite League reigning champions travel to fellow title-chasers Wolverhampton tonight (7.30pm).

And the Pirates hierarchy is understood to be considering a team change with a play-off spot now secure.

Although the transfer window has already slammed shut, speedway rules for the current season state: “A seven-day window prior to the scheduled date of the first play-offs will enable clubs to replace long-term injured riders, but not with riders in other Elite League team declarations.”

The potential loss of Andersen for the remainder of the season is a substantial body blow to Pirates given the Dane’s superb displays for the majority of 2016.

And although the ex-Swindon man experienced some form problems prior to sustaining injury, Ford insisted the 35-year-old had not been close to losing his team place during the transfer window.

Ford added: “His form was not as it was at the start of the season but he was not a rider who concerned me. There were one or two others that concerned me more.

“We had the thoughts of making changes prior to the deadline but the guys in the team have kept their places so it’s now up to them to prove that they do so on merit.”

Brady Kurtz and injury-troubled Krzysztof Buczkowski both missed out on spots in next year’s Grand Prix series after falling short in Saturday’s Grand Prix Challenge at Vetlanda.

The Poole duo both scored five points at the Swedish venue, with Andersen missing the meeting altogether due to injury.

Winner Patryk Dudek, Martin Vaculik and Wolves charger Freddie Lindgren booked their places in next year’s world championship.