52 plate 2.0 tdci mondeo.
Hi all. My starter motor stopped working the other day so i took it off to replace it and the starter had actually broke.the wheel that engages with the flywheel had come off its spindle. That's ok you may say BUT the spindle WASNT in the starter still so im assuming its fell down by the flywheel. I've had a poke in there (with the limited room you have) and couldnt feel anything. I have put the new starter on and its starts ok and thought oh well but its been playing on my mind now. So i was thinking of draining the oil and trying to see if i can retrieve it with a magnetic flexi thing.
My questions are
Has this ever happened to anyone else and if so what was the outcome
What do you think my chances are of getting it out through sump plug hole.
Or shall i just ignore it and assume it will sit at the bottom of the sump for ever in a day

Or if anyone has any other suggestions how to fish it out.
Many thanks for your time