PIRATES boss Matt Ford is optimistic that speedway's top stars will elect to ply their trade on these shores next season.

The British top flight has long attracted criticism for failing to attract the sport's biggest names.

But with proposals in the pipeline for fixed race nights in 2018, Ford feels that would strengthen clubs' positions with regard to recruiting the best racers, as fewer clashes with continental fixtures would occur.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "There are plans afoot for set race nights next season and if that ends up being the case, I do believe some top names will come back to the UK.

"There is also, potentially, something happening with limiting squad numbers in Poland and if that happened, it would be good news for British speedway.

"At the moment, I feel more enthusiastic about the return of some of the top names to the UK."

Swindon and Great Britain boss Alun Rossiter last week backed plans for set race nights in the SGB Premiership.

The issue is set to be one of the major topics of discussion when the British Speedway Promoters' Association holds its AGM at the end of the season.