POOLE Pirates boss Neil Middleditch believes former Swindon Robins star Darcy Ward is coming to terms with his injury, but is also adamant his close friend will not give up hope of walking again.

The Australian rider conceded yesterday that he may never walk again follow his crash in Poland in August which left him with life-changing injuries.

“As tough as it sounds I think he is coming to terms with his injury,” Middleditch told the Swindon Advertiser.

“He’s strong-willed and a fighter, he won’t have given up on this, that’s for sure. We knew from the get-go it’s going to be a long road and Darcy realises that now.

“Medical science is such that who knows what the future holds.

“He’s still a young man and, who knows, in a few years time he could be up and walking around again.

“Nobody in the medical world can say what the future holds for Darcy.”

Robins boss Alun Rossiter echoed the sentiments of Middleditch and called for the public to keep showing Ward their support.

“It’s difficult times and you can never say never, but at the moment Darcy is where he said. It’s a credit to him that he’s not accepting it,” said Rossiter.

“This is a time when he’s going to need support now from the public.

“It’s a horrible thing to happen to anyone.”