Monday 27th August 2012, 09:46

Poole Pirates’ play-off chances have been dealt a hammer-blow with the news that Dennis Andersson season has been ended by a broken leg.

The Swedish Under-21 champion crashed with Slovak star Martin Vaculik in heat nine Wroclaw’s 47-43 loss to table-topping Tarnow at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

He had a vital role to play in Pirates’ title run-in as he has often provided match-winning support to top three Chris Holder, Darcy Ward and Krzysztof Kasprzak.

His current 4.90 average is believed to rise to 5.43 next month, giving Poole more room to manoeuvre in their search for a replacement.

Andersson’s injury casts a shadow over a magnificent weekend for the Dorset side, which saw club skipper Holder top the FIM Fogo British SGP rostrum on Saturday, while Kasprzak finished second and Pirates asset Antonio Lindback was third.

Dejected promoter Matt Ford said: “Our first thoughts are with Dennis right now. On behalf of the whole club I wish him a speedy recovery.

“This news brings home just how speedway’s fortunes can change in a matter of hours.

“There has been a buzz around the whole club after the fantastic result from Chris and KK in Cardiff as they cleaned up at the Millennium.

“After feeling great elation for them, the next thing my phone rings and we learn of the awful news about Dennis and we’re now in a situation of having to plan ahead without Dennis for the rest of the season.”

Tweet

Speedway Grand Prix Speedway Grand Prix