PIRATES chief Matt Ford has backed model professional Chris Holder to be ready to lead Poole into battle – despite having a hectic week.

The Pirates captain became a father to son Max just hours before competing in the New Zealand Grand Prix at the weekend.

A combination of jet lag and potential sleep loss for Holder comes ahead of Poole Coastal Aluminium’s opening Elite League fixtures against Coventry tomorrow (11am away, 8pm home).

But Pirates promoter and owner Ford insists the Australian ace will get on with his task.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Chris just doesn’t moan – he just gets on. I can see sometimes when Chris is tired when he has been doing a lot of continental meetings as it can take its toll.

“He doesn’t moan, gets on with it, turns up and is always well prepared. He is the type of rider that every club just longs to work with.”

Ford pointed out that Coventry star Chris Harris would be in a similar predicament – having also competed in New Zealand.

He said: “Chris Holder has been very busy but he is not the type to moan about things.

“It will be exactly the same for Chris Harris at Coventry. They will be in the same boat with one rider who might be suffering a little bit with jet lag.

“But these are two very professional guys and they will get on and do their jobs, as everyone would expect.”

Ford believes whichever team earns the better results on Good Friday could earn the tag of title favourites. Reigning champions Poole are the top of the bookmakers’ lists, while some pundits have tipped Coventry for an end-of-season play-off spot.

Both teams have selection problems for the return fixture at Wimborne Road.

Pirates will be without Sam Masters and with his fellow doubling-up rider Ludvig Lindgren also unavailable, Poole will try to bring in a guest.

Bees have the services of Aaron Summers for the morning meeting but neither he nor Leigh Lanham are available to visit Wimborne Road, also due to Premier League commitments.

Pirates, meanwhile, are hoping Dennis Andersson will be fit following injury.

Coventry: Chris Harris, Edward Kennett, Scott Nicholls, Kenni Larsen, Aaron Summers (morning only – rider replacement for evening), Henning Bager, Adam Roynon.

Poole: Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Adrian Miedzinski, Dennis Andersson, Sam Masters (morning only – evening guest to be confirmed), Ricky Kling, Todd Kurtz.