Poole Pirates star Chris Holder breaks leg and rib

World speedway champion Chris Holder has suffered a broken rib, broken tibia and knee ligament damage, his club Poole Pirates have confirmed.

The Australian, 25, suffered the injury while riding for the Pirates in Thursday's Elite League Knockout cup semi final against Peterborough.

Holder will have a MRI scan on Friday and he is expected to require surgery.

It means Poole go into the Cup final against Coventry without either of their top two Australians.

Holder's compatriot Darcy Ward is also ruled out after his head injuries sustained in an off-track incident a week ago.

Poole will continue to use Niels Kristian Iversen as a guest for Ward and have called upon Belle Vue's Rory Schlein to deputise for Holder, whilst the Pirates will continue to operate rider replacement for Piotr Pawlicki (shoulder).

After Friday's first leg at Coventry the competition will conclude on Monday night (29th) at Wimborne Road.