SWINDON Robins number one Darcy Ward could be back in the country as soon as today after undergoing further surgery today.

The 23-year-old underwent two-and-a-half hours of surgery on a spinal injury on Sunday following a horror crash when riding for Polish side Zielona Gora.

Doctors revealed on Monday that the young Aussie was awake and breathing unaided, with Poole team manager Neil Middleditch, former world champion and close friend Chris Holder, as well his father George by his side.

Ward had surgery on his wrist yesterday and Australian team manager Mark Lemon is hoping to get the rider transferred back to a UK hospital as soon as possible.

“We’re liaising with the insurance companies in Australia to get him back to the UK as soon as possible,” Lemon told speedwaygp.com.

“He was due to have surgery on his wrist and we can then hopefully get him back to Britain.

“He’s stable enough to be moved.

“We just want to get Darcy moved closer to home. It helps when you’re in an English-speaking country.

“As good as the Polish hospitals are, we want to get him back to the UK and give him some more familiar surroundings.

“It makes it a bit easier if he has his support network close by.”

Lemon has also begun looking into Ward’s post-surgery care after speaking to spinal cord research foundation Wings for Life, who are based in Salzburg.

The charity deal with elite sportsman and have been responsible for some groundbreaking research with spinal injuries.

“We have been working with the Wings for Life people since Monday morning,” added Lemon.

“They have been very helpful and have a lot of knowledge of the most highly-regarded medicine.

“We’ve tried to get some help for Darcy, so we’re liaising with them.

“That was our first port of call and they have been very good. Everyone is working together for the best possible outcome.”