MATEUSZ Szczepaniak has promised the Wimborne Road faithful that he will do everything in his power to prove his Pirates credentials.

Szczepaniak was unveiled as a part of the club’s 2012 plans when he joined Poole Coastal Aluminium for the annual press and practice session at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.

The Polish rider had long been linked with a team berth for Pirates’ Elite League title defence this term.

Although he has not been named in the initial one-to-seven, Poole chief Matt Ford confirmed that Szczepaniak had a role to play in the future and added: “All in all, the hope is that we will be able to use Matty in a few weeks’ time when averages adjust.”

The 25-year-old joined Pirates last year but saw his campaign cut short when he suffered a knee injury on his debut against Birmingham.

But he insists he will be determined to grab his second chance in Dorset.

Szczepaniak told the Daily Echo: “I feel great here.

“Last time I came here was an unlucky meeting and it was the end of my season.

“But I have seen how it works here and how everybody loves speedway. I loved that and really wanted to come here again and ride for Poole.

“Now, I am a reserve and, maybe, there will be some chance to show my speedway this season.

“I will do my best to score more points than last time, finish some heats, and I really want to show my best.”

There is a strong possibility that Szczepaniak will be drafted into the Pirates team once Sam Masters has qualified for a new average.

Todd Kurtz has been named at reserve on a short-term basis, but he could make way for Szczepaniak if Pirates have more team-building points to play with in any potential reshuffle.

Szczepaniak added: “We will see how it works in the next couple of weeks, maybe couple of months.

“I don’t know when I will come into the team. I must wait now.

“I will be determined and ready to show that I will fight for a place in the team for more meetings.”

Reigning Elite League champions Pirates begin their 2012 season with a trip to Wolverhampton on Monday night (7.30pm) for the first leg of the Elite Shield.

Poole team manager Neil Middleditch said: “While we open up our season with an early chance of claiming a trophy, I feel that these meetings will be as much about the lads flexing their muscles and getting into the groove ahead of the league, which is the big one and the one we would dearly love to win again.

“I am more than happy with the side that I have got to work with this year. Matt Ford has yet again delivered on that score and now it is all about knitting together as a team.”