BUCCANEERS have strengthened their team with the inclusion of experienced Danny Warwick ahead of a crucial home clash against National League table-topping Weymouth on Thursday.

Luckless Luke Priest is the rider to make way.

Bournemouth team manager Garry May said the rider had been taken out of his side because of upcoming clashes between Buccaneers’ fixtures and Priest’s Premier League commitments for Workington.

Poole-born Warwick has just been released by second-tier Berwick after a poor run of form.

He takes over the number one race jacket from Bournemouth captain Jay Herne, who was inspirational in their 49-47 triumph at Rye House grabbing 17 points from six outings last night.

Herne drops to number three where he should form a potent partnership with Mark Baseby.

May said Priest, who had been sidelined with a back problem before returning to form with five paid six in Bournemouth’s big home win over King’s Lynn last Thursday, could now concentrate fully on his Premier performances.

Buccaneers’ boss, who informed Priest of the decision yesterday morning, added: “Luke has taken it well.

“He even mentioned to me that he realised there were some clashes in fixtures coming up so he could see why we’ve had to take him out of the team, but we hope he can still ride for us again before the end of the season.

“I’m gutted for Luke because he has ridden his heart out for us, but Danny was available and I’m sure he’ll do a great job for us.”

Warwick, 25, is no stranger to Poole, home of the Buccaneers, because he rode five times for Pirates to help them lift the British League Cup in 2003.

Poole chief Matt Ford, who also promotes their nursery side Bournemouth, had originally wanted Warwick to skipper Buccaneers this year.

But Ford had to go down a different route when Warwick, who was with Reading last year, choose to join Bandits and live in Berwick before being axed by the Borders outfit earlier this month.

May said: “Danny has plenty of experience and should do a first class job for us.”

Warwick makes his Bournemouth debut against one of his former clubs, Weymouth, who are nine points clear of fourth-placed Buccaneers, having ridden three more matches.

He has also ridden for Newport, Swindon, King’s Lynn, Somerset and Sittingbourne since 2002.