MATT Ford has moved to allay fears over the fitness of returning Pirates star Thomas H Jonasson.

Jonasson, drafted in as part of Pirates' team shake-up on Friday, crashed while riding in the Polish First Division yesterday.

But Poole promoter Ford confirmed that the Swedish ace had escaped injury following the spill in heat nine of Gdansk's 47-43 win over Lublin.

Jonasson, a 2011 Elite League title winner with Pirates, is now expected to take his place at reserve against Lakeside on Wednesday (7.30pm).

Ford told the Daily Echo: “He is okay. I heard that he went to hospital and the fear was that it was a broken metatarsal.

“I sent him a message saying 'how long will you be out?' but he replied saying that he would see us on Wednesday. He is coming in as planned.”

Pirates are also hoping for positive news on fellow new recruit Przemyslaw Pawlicki.

Pawlicki, signed as a replacement for injured number one Darcy Ward, finished as runner-up in today's Grand Prix quarter-final qualifier in Germany.

But the former Coventry star's progress could have come at a cost as he was involved in a smash during his last race.

Reports suggested Pawlicki, who is scheduled to make his Poole debut on Wednesday, had been able to walk away but that he had been left “battered and bruised”.