POOLE Pirates are hopeful the injury which forced Benjamin Basso to withdraw during last night's victory over Redcar Bears is not too serious.

Basso looked in impressive form at Wimborne Road, winning each of his first two heats.

However, the young Dane crashed out in heat eight, losing control of the bike at turn one before careering into the air fence.

A delay followed which saw Basso treated by the medics, while the fence was repaired.

Basso eventually hobbled off the track, but would not race again on the night due to damage done to his ribs.

It was the second Wednesday in succession Basso had damaged his ribs whilst racing - missing Poole's meeting at Leicester Lions on Saturday after a crash in Denmark with Team Fjelsted during their play-off finals.

However, Poole are hopeful a few days' rest will be enough to get their number two back in action, but he will be assessed before next week's Knockout Cup semi-final second leg against the Lions at Wimborne Road.

Pirates have an uphill task to reach the final on Wednesday, trailing 49-41 from the first leg.