TEAM manager Neil Middleditch said Pirates star Brady Kurtz would not rush his return to the track as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

The Aussie charger sustained the problem after suffering a crash at Peterborough last week.

Kurtz missed Monday’s bank holiday fixtures against Swindon and is unlikely to feature when the Panthers visit Wimborne Road on Thursday (7.30pm).

Asked for an update on the 22-year-old, Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “I don’t really want to rush Brady back because he could end up hurting himself even more.

“He is going for some physio, going to have some cryotherapy and I think he is going out to Poland for some more treatment.

“But he is certainly not sitting back and letting things happen, he is working very hard to get back on a bike again.”

A home win and a draw against the Robins earned Pirates five SGB Premiership points for their efforts across two meetings – moving them third in the table.

“I felt we could have nicked the win in the last one (at Swindon) but five points was a good day’s work,” said Middleditch.

“All the boys did well and everybody played their part. When we work as a unit we are a very good team and I think at Swindon we worked very well.”

Jack Holder totalled 14 paid 15 at the Abbey Stadium, including victory in the all-important final heat.

The team boss added: “Jack was on absolutely brilliant form at Swindon. He made some great starts and got some great points from behind.

“In his first ride he pulled up but apart from that I was very pleased for him – he has certainly answered his critics.”