Mikkel Michelsen has been told he had a lucky escape when he was sent tumbling at Poole.

But Eastbourne’s rising star has been spared a quick reunion with the man Eagles say was to blame for his painful crash.

Michelsen has been passed fit and will race at home to a strong Belle Vue outfit tomorrow (7.30pm) as Eagles chase a third home win in the Elite League.

He was taken out by Poole guest Craig Cook on the first bend of heat one as Eagles lost 52-37 on Wednesday. Michelsen suffered various pains, notably in his leg and shoulder, and admitted he felt “second hand” yesterday morning.

Cook, of Belle Vue, was standing in for injured Pirates No.1 Darcy Ward.

Ironically, though, he will not go up against Eagles for his own track tomorrow as he is required by his Premier League club Edinbugh.

Eagles boss Trevor Geer said: “Mikkel was pretty sore but he had a lucky escape. He could easily have suffered a broken leg or broken hip.

“I’m 100% sure it was Craig Cook’s fault although he wasn’t excluded. He was out of control halfway around the first bend. He lifted and T-boned Mikkel.

“It was the most spectacular crash I’ve seen for a while.”

Cook’s bike bounced of the top of the air fence and across the greyhound track towards an area on the second bend from where spectators and riders were watching.

But it did not clear the second fence and go on to terracing.

Michelsen was resting yesterday ahead of a big weekend which also sees him make his debut for his new top-flight Polish track Leszno on Sunday.

He had been moved to No.2 on the race card with the intention of giving Eagles a flying start in heat one.

That part of the plan worked as he went back out and won the re-run after his crash but Eastbourne’s awayday woes continued.

Geer admitted he was very disappointed with a 15-point defeat and wants to make amends against a Belle Vue side fancied by many to compete for the title.

Their powerful top end includes two former Eastbourne No.1s in Matej Zagar and Scott Nicholls.

Eastbourne took a while to adapt to track conditions at home to Leicester last Saturday and Geer accepts there can be no repeat.

He said: “We cannot allow Belle Vue the freedom to score points like we did Leicester.“ Eagles: Pedersen, Lahti, Woodward, Michelsen, Kylmakorpi, Blackbird, Halsey.

Belle Vue: Zagar, Toft, Nicholls, Worrall, Cook r/r, Nielsen, Reade.