PIRATES chief Matt Ford insists there is no pressure on Kyle Newman as the local lad prepares to re-enter the Elite League fray tonight.

The rookie Poole-born racer will line up for his hometown club in this evening’s clash at Lakeside.

Newman, who rides for Newcastle in the Premier League and was this week also snapped up by National League outfit Dudley, has been drafted in as fellow doubling-up reserve Christian Hefenbrock has commitments with Somerset.

The 19-year-old, already a popular Wimborne Road figure following a successful 2009 campaign with Bournemouth Buccaneers, has scored seven paid points in his three competitive Pirates outings this term.

Ford told the Echo: “Being a Poole boy, everyone will be patient and give him time to find his own position in the team.

“I always said to Kyle that there was no pressure on him to start with and to come in and enjoy himself this year.

“Hopefully, he can build his confidence and, by next year, he could be the number one doubling-up rider. This season, Christian Hefenbrock is taking preference.”

Ford added: “I didn’t expect any more or any less of Kyle because there was never any pressure on him. I always made it clear he would do eight to 10 matches this year. This will be his fourth and we will certainly use him a few more times during the season.

“ Christian has done an unbelievable job and I believe this is the best he has ever performed.

“Fingers crossed, we can build on that and the reserve berth will be a strong one for us all year.”

High-flying Pirates will be aiming to complete a quickfire double over the Hammers, who they thumped 58-36 on Wednesday.

Hammers: (probable) Lee Richardson, Kauko Nieminen, Adam Shields, Piotr Swiderski, Peter Ljung, Robert Mear, Stuart Robson.

Pirates: Chris Holder, Renat Gafurov, Darcy Ward, Jason Doyle, Davey Watt, Dennis Andersson, Kyle Newman.