POOLE Pirates have opted to make a late season team change, with Joe Thompson replacing Adam Roynon.

Roynon, 34, has not featured since suffering a shoulder injury in the abandoned meeting at Edinburgh on August 4.

And with the cut-off looming in less than two weeks for when clubs are allowed to make team changes until, Pirates have decided to draft in Thompson.

Discussing the decision to let Roynon leave, Pirates promoter Danny Ford told the Daily Echo: “Adam’s a very experienced rider.

“Particularly at home we saw some great form from him, he was doing his job and maybe more.

“Away from home he did struggle at certain tracks, which was frustrating.

“Obviously this injury has curtailed his season and it really has hurt us.

“He’s on an average which makes it very hard to make changes with and to bring in guests, but we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Asked for an update on Roynon’s injury, Ford added: “It’s a bit of an open-ended one.

“It’s one of those injuries where you can’t if it’s going to be six weeks or six months. It’s an uncomfortable injury. It’s not looking good.”

Across 20 meetings for Poole this season, Roynon scored 72+17 from reserve, winning nine of his 71 races.

In his place Pirates have drafted a rider towards the other end of his speedway career in 19-year-old Thompson.

The Nuneaton-born racer previously rode for Ipswich Witches, Birmingham Brummies and Scunthorpe Scorpions this season, but lost his place at all three clubs, down in part to injury.

He was replaced by twin brother Dan at Ipswich.

Thompson still rides for table-topping Leicester Lion Cubs in the National Development League.

He guested for Pirates in place of Roynon in Wednesday night’s 52-38 SGB Championship win over Redcar Bears, totalling 2+1 from his three rides.

It is the first time Pirates have made an official team change during a season since 2021.

Due to league rules, Thompson will technically serve as a guest again on Sunday when Edinburgh Monarchs visit Wimborne Road (5pm).

Thompson’s first outing as an official Pirate will then come against Glasgow Tigers on Wednesday.

Pirates have four regular league fixtures remaining.

Poole will then compete in the play-offs next month and have also booked their spot in the Knockout Cup final.

Monarchs are set to travel south this weekend with their full one-to-seven, providing they come through unscathed against Oxford Cheetahs on Friday night.

Pirates: Lawson, Newman, B Cook, Z Cook, Worrall, Rowe, Thompson.

Edinburgh: C Cook, Castagna, Thomson, Borke, Pickering, Wood, Clegg.