PLYMOUTH Gladiators are set to finally get their full septet on track when they head to Poole Pirates on Wednesday, with number one Nico Covatti back from injury.

Covatti, part of Poole Pirates’ class of 2019, was ruled out after a crash on the eve of the season, Gladiators having to muddle through since.

But the Argentina-born Italy international, who returned to action in Grand Prix qualifying on Monday, is now set to link up with Garry May’s side.

Plymouth face Poole twice this week in two crunch BSN Series clashes, the first at Wimborne Road tomorrow (7.30pm), before hosting Pirates at the Coliseum on Saturday (7pm).

Two members of Pirates’ 2023 team in Kyle Newman and Joe Thompson are now turning out for Plymouth.

Pirates promoter Danny Ford said: “Plymouth are certainly not going to be any pushover.

“They showed their mettle at Edinburgh on Friday night when they picked up a Championship away win.

“Add in the fact that they have riders that can certainly get around our place and arguably have a strong home advantage on their small circuit, I think it is very clear that we are going to be facing a tough 30 heats of racing.

“Plymouth are hoping to welcome Nico Covatti into their team for the first time this season and having been a former Poole rider, he will be making his comeback on a track he is accustomed to.

“With Kyle and Joe returning to their 2023 home track, it provides an added boost to them and they have signed Dan Thompson too, who has been in red hot former wherever he has ridden this year.

“This is very much a local derby fixture and that always brings an extra dimension to any meeting.

“There are two important meetings coming up, but we believe that we can keep our interest in the competition as we seek to successfully defend the title we won last year.”

Pirates: Lawson, Thomsen, Brennan, Z Cook, B Cook, Hagon, Perry.

Plymouth: Covatti, Bowtell, D Thompson, Newman, Barker, J Thompson, Hook.