MATT Ford insists Pirates can boost their Elite League points tally at Belle Vue tonight as they bid to maintain their remarkable play-off push.

Pirates have overcome a series of major injury problems this year to remain in the race for a place in the end-of-season silverware showdown.

After losing Robert Miskowiak early on, Pirates have also had to cope without Darcy Ward, Tomas H Jonasson and Chris Holder for extended periods in 2013.

But with legendary two-times world champion Greg Hancock replacing stricken skipper Holder and Ward and Jonasson back to fitness, Poole now have high hopes.

Ahead of tonight’s trip to Belle Vue, Pirates are three points behind fourth-placed Lakeside and two ahead of King’s Lynn, although both have a meeting in hand.

Poole promoter Ford told the Daily Echo: “We know the last place is between King’s Lynn, Lakeside and ourselves. We have ridden more matches than both of those clubs but having said that, they have got to ride each other twice and we have also got to face Lakeside at home and away.

“I certainly feel that we need to go to Belle Vue and score something and all being well, with Greg in the team, I believe we can certainly achieve that.

“We genuinely need some good fortune rather than bad. We are still in there fighting, which is quite incredible, given our injury problems this year.”

While Pirates are hoping Hancock’s paperwork will be completed in time for the trip north, they are set to be boosted by the return of Jonasson following chest, rib, shoulder and collarbone injuries.

Pirates star Maciej Janowski will feature after scoring 10 points in the first European Championship final on Saturday.

Belle Vue: (from) Cook, A Dryml, R/R for Nieminen, Ostergaard, Wolbert, Zagar, Zetterstrom.

Pirates: (from) Dyer, Grajczonek, Hancock, Janowski, Jonasson, Tungate, Ward.