BJARNE Pedersen has stressed he wants to stay with Pirates next year.

But he admitted he knows the decision over his future is not in his hands.

Poole Castle Cover's captain has been at Wimborne Road for six successive seasons.

However, Jason Crump looks as though he is the favourite to lead the club in 2008.

So Pedersen might have to be left on the sidelines if team-building rules don't allow them both to stay.

Poole chief Matt Ford has already snapped up Chris Holder and Karol Zabik.

Ford has indicated he probably won't complete any more signings until after the BSPA conference at Coventry from November 29 to December 2, though.

Aware of the situation, Pedersen said: "I'll be disappointed if I don't get a team place for next year.

"I feel I have done a lot for Poole over the years and hope they take that into account when they are making their decision.

"But it's not just up to me, or Poole.

"We have to see what the team building averages and rules are for next season.

"I think they (the BSPA) will change a lot of the rules for next season, and I don't think anyone really knows what is going to happen at the moment.

"If Poole have a choice between Jason and me, it will be a hard one.

"I know they spent a lot of money buying Jason this year, but I will be disappointed if I'm not in the team because I feel I'm as good as Jason around the league.

"There is no animosity between me and Jason. We are both professionals and we do our jobs.

"He is a good team mate and it has been exciting riding in the same side as him.

"You just continue with the job you do and it has been good for me riding alongside him.

"It has been the same riding with all the other boys in the team for the whole season, apart from one or two small incidents along the way that have now been worked out.

"As far as I'm concerned, it would be great to finish my career in England at Poole.

"In fact, I told Matt I don't want to finish at Poole before I have beaten Craig Boyce's record points total for the club.

"If it's not possible, you have to move on and see where you end up.

"I'm already sorted out in Denmark (Holstebro), Sweden (Vastervik) and Poland (Gdansk), so it is just England I need to sort out.

"If England comes up with fewer meetings next year, which looks likely, perhaps I'll be able to do some meetings in Russia."

Pedersen, who joined Pirates from Newcastle in 2002, makes his final British appearance of the season when he captains an International League Select at Somerset tomorrow (7.30pm).

The Dane said: "Then I'm staying in England until November 4 to spend time visiting my sponsors and thanking them for their backing this year."