PREVIEW: PLYMOUTH v POOLE (Champ)

POOLE will be without new signing Ondrej Smetana for their Championship trip to Plymouth tonight (Tuesday).

The Pirates have so far been able to obtain clearance for Smetana to come to the UK, and they plan to operate the rider-replacement facility at the Coliseum.

Ironically the Gladiators hand a debut to Zane Keleher, the rider Smetana displaced in the Poole line-up, whilst Jason Crump makes his first appearance at home.

Pirates promoter Danny Ford said: “I know Ondřej is as frustrated as we are with all the issues that have been encountered in trying to get him into the UK because of the ongoing travel restrictions, as he has been looking forward to joining us.

“We are doing all we can from both ends to try and resolve it but sadly it won’t be in time for Tuesday night.

“We had a good all-round performance down there in the Cup in what was a first showing on that track for the side, so I am sure that they will all have gained something from that meeting and we will be going there hoping for a similar outcome as we look for some league points on the road.”

PLYMOUTH: Jason Crump, Zane Keleher, Zach Cook, Dillon Ruml, Bjarne Pedersen, Alfie Bowtell, Luke Ruddick.
POOLE: Rory Schlein, Ondrej Smetana R/R, Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen, Danny King, Ben Cook, Danyon Hume.