PIRATES ace Krzysztof Kasprzak faces a race against time to be fit for the World Under-21 Final in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday (Sept 11).

The Poole RIAS flyer sustained a leg injury when he fell while racing in the Polish League on Sunday.

He is already sidelined from his British club's home Elite League clash against Belle Vue tomorrow.

Kasprzak's place in Pirates' team for the visit of the Aces goes to their number eight Mark Lemon.

The 19-year-old Pole has spent the past two days stuck at his home in Poland waiting for the bruising and swelling to go down in his leg.

He said: "I don't think anything is broken but my foot is too swollen at the moment for the doctors to be able to take X-rays.

"I am hoping to get into hospital again today for another try, but it will depend on whether the swelling has gone down."

Pirates chief Matt Ford, meanwhile, has stressed the change of ownership of Poole Stadium should not affect the Speedway club.

It was revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo that the stadium had been sold after the £14.2 million management buyout of its parent group Gaming International was finally completed.

The buyout was led by Gaming International CEO Clarke Osborne and two fellow directors.

Ford said: "Clarke Osborne has always had a good working relationship with Poole Speedway and we don't believe that will change at all."