PREVIEW: POOLE v LEICESTER (Champ)

THE top two sides in the Championship clash at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday) as holders Poole meet current leaders Leicester.

The Lions are five points clear after a run of six successive wins, three of them on the road where they have secured maximum points – whilst the Pirates are unbeaten in 23 matches at home.

Connor Mountain returns for the visitors after the birth of his daughter, whilst Ben Morley steps in as a guest at reserve.

Poole promoter Danny Ford said: “Without a doubt we have the two in-form sides on show, and they pushed us really hard last season, possibly the hardest we were pushed all year, and they look even stronger this time around.

“I am fully expecting a titanic battle, and this will be the hardest of all meetings, one to really test our proud unbeaten home run. Both teams have a similar build to them, three very big hitting heat leaders supported by solid second strings and reserves capable of turning in match winning performances.

“Add to that the battles between the Worrall brothers, Steve and Richie, which always adds an extra dimension when they face up to each other, and we have the base ingredients for an interesting meeting.”

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “I’d like to think we’ve done enough for a play-off place, barring a total collapse, but we won’t be taking our foot off the gas.

“We want one of those top two positions, which we missed out on very narrowly last season.

“Credit to the riders, because they’ve certainly exceeded my expectations so far, but there’s still a long way to go and we’re not getting carried away – it’s very firmly back to the 2019 ‘me’!”

POOLE: Danny King, Zach Cook, Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Richard Lawson, Drew Kemp, Nathan Ablitt.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Connor Mountain, Richie Worrall, Joe Thompson, Kyle Howarth, Ben Morley, Dan Thompson.