PREVIEW: POOLE v REDCAR (Champ)

POOLE will look to wrap up top spot in the Championship when they host fellow play-off challengers Redcar at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday).

One point would take the Pirates out of reach of the Bears, Glasgow and Leicester who would be left vying for the other automatic place in the semi-finals.

Poole have a doubt over Benjamin Basso, who missed their KO Cup match at Leicester last weekend, whilst Anders Rowe guests for the injured Stefan Nielsen at reserve and therefore faces the club which released him last month.

Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford said: “We will be under no illusion that things will be easy. We saw what Redcar are capable of when we let them back into the meeting at their place, so will give them the respect they deserve but with the view to sending them home pointless.

“We have found it hard to find suitable cover for Stefan, in fact his value to the team has been near irreplaceable.

“Finding riders that fit and being mindful of all the conditions regarding eligibility for rider to guest have given us only a small pool of riders to select from, so having Anders back ready to race again has been a bit of relief, and it is fingers crossed that Ben will be back too, as rider replacement does have its flaws.”

Bears star Lewis Kerr said: “We have got a great chance tonight, in my opinion the meeting will hinge on both teams’ bottom ends as both teams’ top 4’s are very strong.

“If we can get Jordan Jenkins flying then that will really stand us in good stead.”

POOLE: Rory Schlein, Ben Basso (TBC), Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Danny King, Anders Rowe, Danyon Hume.
REDCAR: Charles Wright, James Sarjeant, Jake Allen, Lewis Kerr, Michael Palm Toft, Ryan Kinsley, Jordan Jenkins.