PREVIEW: POOLE v LEICESTER (KOC)

POOLE face an eight-point deficit as they host Leicester in the second leg of their KO Cup semi-final tonight (Wednesday).

Both sides are still in contention for league and cup honours, with the Lions having won 49-41 when they met at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena earlier this month.

Poole bring in Zach Cook to guest for the injured Stefan Nielsen, but have an injury doubt over Benjamin Basso at No.2, whilst Leicester operate rider replacement for the unwell Dan Thompson.

Pirates promoter Danny Ford said: “Over the years we have witnessed the value of the wall of sound that can be generated here at Wimborne Road and if we can experience that again on Wednesday it will certainly be a great lift for the lads, who have work to do.

“It is not just a case of winning the meeting, we have to overthrow those eight points we lost by at their place last Saturday week.”

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “We have a fair chance with an eight-point lead, but we know how tough it will be.

“Sadly we are without Dan Thompson who sits out this and the weekend play-off meetings because he was ill and had to miss Glasgow on Sunday.

“But we’ll be positive in all our meetings this week and look at extending our season beyond this weekend.”

POOLE: Rory Schlein, Benjamin Basso (TBC), Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Danny King, Zach Cook, Danyon Hume.
LEICESTER: Nick Morris, Dan Thompson R/R, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Hans Andersen, Joe Thompson, Zaine Kennedy.