MATT Ford insists Sam Masters has more to offer – and could hand him a second chance to prove it at Wimborne Road.

The Australian struggled to live up to his big billing during an inconsistent 2012 campaign for Pirates.

Masters arrived at Poole as the reigning Premier League riders’ champion and had been tipped to shine in the skull and crossbones.

Pirates promoter Ford admitted he felt Masters had endured a “disappointing year” after the 21-year-old finished the campaign with a 3.85 Elite League average.

But Masters demonstrated his potential by ending the season with a nine paid 10-point haul in the Knockout Cup final against Coventry.

And Ford, who has yet to make any signings for next year as he awaits the outcome of this week’s BSPA summit, revealed he had held preliminary talks with Masters.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “In one or two of his last meetings of the season, Sam showed he has clearly got more about him than he showed us.

“Sam is someone we would consider using again and I have had opening discussions with him. Sam didn’t show what he could do in 2012 but he is definitely better than the rider we saw.

“It was a disappointing year for Sam and, fingers crossed, he can move on from that and become the rider that everyone is expecting him to become.”