BRAVE Pirates star Christian Hefenbrock is hoping to make a quick return but admits he is still feeling the effects of his horror smash.

The Poole reserve was knocked unconscious when he collided heavily with the air fence in an ugly heat-two spill during Monday’s Elite League win over Coventry.

Hefenbrock was treated on the Wimborne Road track for 30 minutes before undergoing a neck X-ray and check up at Poole Hospital.

He was released in the early hours and returned to his Somerset base, where he subsequently went for a precautionary brain scan.

Speaking to the Echo, the luckless 25-year-old, who was also involved in a worrying crash against Swindon last month, revealed he had been resting and was suffering from concussion and bruising.

Hefenbrock explained: “I had a very bad headache and the doctors gave me an X-ray on my neck and that was fine.

“I decided to go to hospital in Somerset to have a brain scan and that was fine. The doctor said I was just badly concussed.

“I am still sleeping it off and I feel a bit better.”

Hefenbrock, who said he could not remember anything about the crash, added: “It is a good thing to have three or four days off to sleep it off. I’m due to ride tomorrow but will see how I feel.

“It will be good to be back on a bike as soon as possible.”

Hefenbrock expressed his gratitude to his Pirates fans and team-mates for their support. He also wished to thank his colleagues at his Premier League club Somerset, particularly the Hancock family.