MATT Ford revealed his desire to secure Josh Grajczonek as a full Pirates asset after backing the hot prospect to enjoy a bright speedway future.

The Pirates promoter stated his intention to open talks over adding the Australian to his club’s roster of riders following his arrival at Wimborne Road.

Since being signed by Poole in a team reshuffle earlier this month, Grajczonek has scored 11+1 in three meetings, including a fine nine-point haul last time out.

And the Somerset doubling-up star has already done enough to make Ford seriously consider the option of making the 23-year-old Poole’s latest Aussie asset.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Josh is part of a longer plan for the future. He would be the type of rider that we would be very interested in bringing to Poole on a long-term basis.

“I like Josh, he is a good kid and while he has been riding in Britain for a few years, he is still very young. I think he has got the capabilities of being a very good rider.

“Josh is still finding his feet and it takes some time to step up a level. He has certainly got the ability to improve. Josh has been around for a few years now, which I think is an advantage because he has matured slowly, rather than bursting on to the scene.”

Ford added: “Bringing Josh in as an asset is something which is definitely on the agenda.

“He is Glasgow’s asset and is currently on loan at Somerset. Later in the season, we would be keen to do something more permanent about Josh.”

Meanwhile, Ford is waiting to discover if Greg Hancock will be able to make his Pirates debut tomorrow night. The legendary two-times world champion was snapped up by Pirates last week as a replacement for injured captain Chris Holder.

However, Pirates have been hit by the time-consuming process of securing a work permit and getting Sweden-based Hancock’s passport back to Stockholm from the UK Border Agency.

The 43-year-old would have missed last night’s clash at Belle Vue, which was postponed due to a waterlogged track, and Poole remain unsure about whether his documents will arrive in time for him to fly in to face Coventry at Wimborne Road tomorrow.

Ford said: “Unfortunately, Greg would have missed the meeting at Belle Vue. It is going to be last minute for tomorrow’s meeting and, unfortunately, we are going to have to tell people late in the day on Wednesday itself.

“Everything that can be done has been done.”