PIRATES could step up their search for number one options after Krzysztof Kasprzak suffered a broken collarbone in a Polish league meeting this afternoon.

The former world number two, whose team place at Poole is under intense scrutiny, was racing for Gorzow at Wroclaw in the Ekstraliga when he fell following contact with ex-Poole skipper Maciej Janowski.

Kasprzak was seen to by medics after the heat three spill at the Olympic Stadium and then withdrew from the meeting.

The 32-year-old had been due to race for Pirates against Rye House on Wednesday, a key meeting in his battle to justify his team spot at Wimborne Road.

However, Kasprzak will now miss out and looks set for five weeks on the sidelines.

Team boss Neil Middleditch last week admitted potential replacements were being considered after Kasprzak managed just six paid seven in the shock defeat to Swindon.

Pirates chief Matt Ford had previously urged the former Grand Prix star to "step up to the plate".