KYLE Howarth is grateful for Pirates’ backing but admits: “Now it is up to me to do the business.”

British prospect Howarth is determined to repay the club’s faith when he dons the skull and crossbones again in 2013.

The self-styled ‘Mullet Man’ from Manchester will be aiming to produce some hair-raising performances at Wimborne Road after being included in Poole’s line-up.

Howarth, 18, was handed a return ticket after a promising spell last season and he will take a reserve berth when Pirates begin their Elite League title challenge.

The Poole asset, who will continue to double up with Premier League outfit Workington Comets, says he is thankful that the Pirates hierarchy gave him another opportunity in the top flight.

But the youngster concedes that the only way to keep his place will be to deliver the points.

“I have got to prove myself and it is a club where they don’t take any messing around,” said Howarth, speaking to the Daily Echo from his Australian training base.

“I know that and I have got to earn my place, so I have to keep the points coming in. I am grateful to them for giving me a shot but now it is up to me to do the business. I have got to make sure I come up with the points. I am sure we can do it and I am confident. I feel good.”

Howarth has been associated with the Wimborne Road club since riding for Pirates’ nursery team Bournemouth Buccaneers in the National League.

He said: “Poole is a great club. Matt, Giles (Hartwell, co-promoter), Neil (Middleditch, team boss) and Gordon (Pairman, co-promoter) are great so it is very nice to be back.

“I really enjoyed it last season and I wanted to be back. I wanted to prove myself and I can show them what I can do.

“I got a bit of experience last season which helped me a lot and I have got a rough idea what the Elite League is like now.

“Now I can go into it knowing what I need to do and where I need to make the improvements and then I will go from there.”

Howarth has been preparing for next term by riding regularly in Australia, recently winning the Queensland under-21 championship.

Howarth, who is due to fly back to England in January, added: “It is going well, I am very happy with how my riding is going and I am looking forward to 2013.”

In their team for next season, Pirates have so far named captain and world champion Chris Holder alongside Darcy Ward, Maciej Janowski, Robert Miskowiak, Rohan Tungate and Howarth.

Promoter Matt Ford is hoping to complete Poole’s one-to-seven before Christmas, with 4.20 points remaining in the club’s team-building limit.