MATT Ford revealed he may not replace crocked star Chris Holder for Pirates’ Elite League run-in and insisted only one of speedway’s top names would do.

The Wimborne Road chief is adamant he would rather utilise the rider replacement facility for Holder than make do with a second-rate substitute with Ford’s final decision expected next week.

Poole’s promoter said his negotiations with two unnamed riders are “at an early stage” but that “no concrete arrangements” had been made.

Ford was forced to ponder his options for the umpteenth time this season when talisman Holder suffered a horror smash at Coventry at the start of the month.

The Pirates captain, who was crowned world champion last year, came away with a fractured and dislocated left hip, shattered heel and broken shoulder and was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season.

And although the Pirates boss is allowed to make team changes up to the end of August, Ford stressed he wants to act quickly or not at all.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Logically, with nine meetings to go it is a tough call to make.

“I have had contact with a couple of riders, and I am still waiting to hear from one, but for us to make a move there are only one or two who could possibly cover for Chris and to persuade them to come to the UK is difficult.

“Most of the top GP riders give England a miss because of busy schedules. The door isn’t closed, and there is a chance something will happen over the next week, but we will not just bring someone in to make up the numbers.

“It is high on our agenda but these things don’t always happen quickly and it will only happen if we can get the right person in.

“It would have to happen soon because there are so few meetings left and sticking with rider replacement is a strong possibility.

“There are only one or two stars the fans would want to pay to see. To say the search has been hard would be an understatement.”

Meanwhile, Swindon’s Troy Batchelor will again guest for the stricken Holder in tonight’s home clash with Belle Vue (7.30pm).

However, should Ford’s search proved fruitless, it is likely that Pirates will have to run without guests from next week with Tomas H Jonasson, who will be covered by rider replacement tonight, set to return in time for Monday’s reverse fixture against the Aces.

Rohan Tungate, who withdrew from Ipswich’s Premier League clash with Scunthorpe through injury last week, should be fit for tonight’s meeting.

Pirates: Batchelor (guest), Tungate, Ward, Janowski, R/R for Jonasson, Grajczonek, Dyer. Manager: Neil Middleditch.

Aces: Cook, Dryml, R/R for Nieminen, Ostergaard, Wolbert, Zagar, Zetterstrom. Manager: Jason Attwood.