PROMOTER Danny Ford insisted he did not know the full extent of Pirates number one Rory Schlein’s leg injury but admitted: “It doesn’t sound great.”

The 2020 British Champion hooked up with Glasgow number one Craig Cook on the first bend of heat one of the SGB Championship contest at Ashfield Stadium, before crashing into the air fence.

Two ambulances treated the 36-year-old before Schlein was forced to withdraw from the meeting.

Asked whether he knew the extent of Schlein’s injury, Ford said: “No, not just yet, we are just waiting to find out. It doesn’t sound great though, fingers crossed he makes a swift recovery and we can see him back soon.

“I don’t know the full extent of it yet but as soon as we can update everyone, we will.”

Without one of their key heat leaders, Poole were left to ponder a 52-38 defeat to the Tigers, who were inspired by a 15-point maximum from their talisman Cook.

“I think losing your number one right at the start of the meeting is incredibly tough,” added Ford.

“The boys held in at the start but in the end we just ran out of steam a little bit, which is to be expected when you are without your number one.

“Full respect to Glasgow. They were the better team on the night, they have got some amazing riders - Craig Cook is different class round here and I think even with Rory we would have struggled to stick with them.”

Defeat was Pirates’ second away loss on the spin to start their campaign, having also been beaten 45-44 at Eastbourne last weekend.

Ford said: “It’s not going our way at the minute. I’m looking forward to finally getting to our first home meeting at Wimborne Road (against Berwick) on Wednesday.

“Hopefully we can build something from there because it has been incredibly tough.

“That’s two tough away meetings out of the way now. Now our season needs to really start.”