MATT Ford believes Pirates reserve Karol Baran should “give himself more of a chance” of succeeding in British speedway by riding his own equipment – or face being axed.

Poole Castle Cover’s chief drafted the Pole into his ailing team in place of Paul Hurry at the beginning of June when he strengthened up with the inclusion of new spearhead Hans Andersen.

But Baran has looked totally out of his depth in the Elite League, scoring just three paid four in 14 races for a woeful average of 0.86.

Consequently, Ford is fast losing his patience after Baran’s three poor performances ahead of bottom-of-the-table Pirates’ visit to high-riding Wolves in the league tonight (7.30pm).

Ford said: “Karol has been riding on equipment owned by one of our sponsors.

“So we’re still waiting for a commitment to ride his own bikes from him.

“He appears to have made little effort to do that at the moment.

“Karol will have to give himself a chance to make things easier for himself quickly, or I may just as well track one of the Buccaneers.

“At least they would use their own equipment and make more of an effort.”

Baran, who has failed to impress in home clashes against Eastbourne and Lakeside and at the Arena-Essex Raceway, is in his second spell in Britain after previously being at Ipswich.

He lives in Poland and is flown into England at Poole’s expense for each Pirates meeting.

Buccaneers riders who could fit the bill include their captain Jay Herne, Mark Baseby and Andrew Aldridge.

Veteran doubling-up rider Paul Fry doesn’t have to worry about his Poole place at the moment though.

Ford said: “If he can keep on scoring a point every race, I would be over the moon with that type of form.”

Ford confirmed injured Chris Holder, who aggravated a collarbone injury in a fall against Hammers on Wednesday, will miss Poole’s tough trip to Wolves tonight – and their home Knockout Cup clash against Belle Vue on Wednesday.

Daniel Davidsson, who is also fell against the Hammers, returns tonight, however.

Ford, meanwhile, politely declined to comment on the BSPA’s decision to give Belle Vue 28 days’ use of Kevin Doolan after Poole protested he was ineligible to sign for the Aces as number eight because his average was too high.

Fry lines up for Pirates against Belle Vue on Wednesday.

Wolves: 1 F Lindgren, 2 N Klindt, 3 T Woffinden, 4 A Skornicki, 5 P Karlsson, 6 H Stichauer, 7 T Proctor.

Pirates: 1 H Andersen, 2 D Davidsson, 3 J Screen, 4 B Pedersen, 5 Rider replacement for C Holder, 6 P Fry, 7 K Baran.