PATIENT Pirates chief Matt Ford says it is vital Krzysztof Kasprzak is given time to fully recover from a broken collarbone.

The experienced Pole is due to resume training next week as he bids to win back the number one spot at Pirates from Grzegorz Zengota.

Kasprzak broke the bone for the fourth time during an Ekstraliga meeting at the beginning of May.

The 32-year-old, who was riding for Gorzow at the time, fell to the deck following contact with Wroclaw's Maciej Janowski, a former Pirates skipper.

He subsequently went under the knife in order to aid his recovery.

Providing an update on Kasprzak's fitness, Ford told the Daily Echo: "Krzys is due to start light training during the next week so he is making progress.

"It isn't rapid. Sometimes people rush back from collarbone injuries but in Krzys's case, as he has had it screwed and plated, it's totally different. He has got to let it heal naturally.

"From the moment of impact to getting back on a bike, I would think would probably be five weeks. We need to give him time."

Former world number two Kasprzak last month vowed to return to Wimborne Road a better rider after receiving criticism for his displays.