TEAM boss Neil Middleditch believes continuity is the key for Pirates’ play-off hopes ahead of Greg Hancock’s eagerly-anticipated debut against Eastbourne tonight (7.30pm).

Hancock’s Wimborne Road bow was put on hold after his passport didn’t return to Sweden in time for him to travel to last week’s drubbing of Coventry Bees.

But the arrival Poole’s most recent recruit – who will be the 29th man to feature in Pirates’ tumultuous 2013 season – will give Middleditch a complete one-to-seven for the first time in over two months, an injury-plagued spell that covers no fewer than 11 Elite League meetings.

And with Pirates back to full strength for visit of the strugglers, the manager is happy to finally see his pit full of familiar faces.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “It has been such a long time since I have been afforded the luxury of seven of my own riders but it comes at a very important stage in our season.

“The addition of Greg is a major coup and it will be a massive lift to some of the boys to ride alongside a true speedway legend.

“Some of them weren’t even born when he came on to the scene and his arrival is a real boost. He’s always a pleasure to work with and one of the sport’s nice guys.

“To give ourselves a real chance (of making the play-offs) we know we have to win our home meetings.

“Our destiny is not entirely in our own hands, and we could have done with Birmingham nicking something at Lakeside on Friday, but there will be some twists and turns before the season ends.”

Meanwhile, Middleditch warned his charges to beware of the Eagles who shocked table-toppers Birmingham last week.

On tonight’s opponents, the Poole boss added: “They have strengthened with the addition of Mikkel Michelsen and, while they can’t make the play-offs, they will be a bit of a wounded animal and may carry a sting in the tail.

“We have had a couple of good meetings but they will be out to spoil our party and we will have to have our wits about us if we are to put them to the sword.”

Tomas H Jonasson, who pulled out of the Coventry clash after his shoulder injury flared up, is fit to ride while the Eagles will utilise rider replacement for Lukas Dryml.

Pirates (from): Ward, Jonasson, Hancock, Grajczonek, Janowski, Tungate, Dyer. Team manager: Neil Middleditch

Eagles (from): Gustafsson, Lahti, Michelsen, Nilsson, Pedersen, Woodward, R/R for Lukas Dryml. Team manager: Trevor Geer

  • PIRATES duo Darcy Ward and Greg Hancock enjoyed mixed fortunes in Saturday’s Italian Grand Prix in Terenzano.

Hancock won once but could only register five points on his way to an early exit, and while Aussie ace Ward made the semi-finals with two wins and 11 championship points, he brought up the rear in his sixth race.

The result sees Hancock hold on to his top-eight position, three points ahead of Tomasz Gollob, while Ward sits 12th in the standings.