BUCCANEERS boss Garry May has confirmed they are already in talks with at least two undisclosed riders to take the place of injured number one Jay Herne.

The Australian ace broke a bone in his back in a horror spill at Newport on Sunday and has been told by doctors he’ll be sidelined for at least three months.

Herne, competing in only his third meeting since recovering from a nasty wound next to his knee in a crash in his homeland seven weeks ago, fell and slid underneath the air fence.

“He hit the wooden boards behind back first and that’s what did the damage,” said May, Somerset’s assistant-manager for the Premier League clash, with Herne riding for Rebels.

May, with his Bournemouth Castle Cover team manager’s hat on, added: “We can use guests to cover for Jay for up to 28 days from our first meeting against Weymouth on April 11.

“But we have to sign another rider because we need someone in our team as a big number one.

“We’re in talks with two riders already although, for obvious reasons, I can’t name them.

“We asked Charles Wright, James Wright’s brother, if he wanted a team space, but he said ‘no’.

“So we’re talking with two other riders and there are two more ex-Premier League riders we’re thinking about as well.

“We have to get ourselves another rider on a long-term basis because you must use rider replacement after 28 days of using guests.

“I’m gutted for Buccs and for Jay. He’s a reliable points-scorer and we’ve lost him.

“His priority now is making sure he gets himself back to full health, then we’ll see what happens when he declares himself fit.

“If we could have him back, we would because he’s a brilliant team leader, but he might have to ride for someone else.”

Two undisclosed riders are in the running for Buccs’ number eight berth. Both will take part in their press and practice on April 7.

Pirates, meanwhile, will not stage a home meeting tomorrow.