NEIL Middleditch has said injured heat leader Jason Crump is "doubtful" for Pirates' crucial home Elite League clash against Coventry tomorrow.

Crump aggravated a kneecap injury despite winning his only two races during Poole Castle Cover's 54-38 defeat at Peterborough last night.

The Australian left the Showground and returned to his home shortly after withdrawing from the meeting following heat seven.

That left Panthers to go on and win convincingly, both on the night and 98-84 on aggregate, to move to within six points of third-placed Pirates in the table with two matches in hand.

Middleditch, Poole's team manager, said: "Jason caught his left knee in his first race on the third bend and wrenched it.

"He said he would have a try in his next race but he was in too much pain to carry on after that.

"Jason will go to see a specialist today but he is doubtful for tomorrow against Coventry.

"We will know more later today after he has seen the specialist."

Middleditch, who saw Craig Boyce top-score for Pirates with nine paid 10 following Crump's early withdrawal, added: "Jason only lives about 20 minutes from the Showground so he wanted to get home early because he was in quite a lot of pain.

"He wanted to get some ice packs on his knee to take the swelling away.

"I phoned Matt Ford as soon as Jason pulled out so he could try and get someone in place to guest for us against Coventry if need be."