MATT Ford is hoping British champion Tai Woffinden can provide a timely boost for struggling Pirates.

The Wolverhampton wonder will line up for Poole at King’s Lynn this evening after being drafted in as a guest for injured number one Darcy Ward.

And Woffinden, 22, could hardly be in better form as he comes into the team fresh from claiming his maiden British title on Monday night.

Speaking ahead of the Norfolk Arena clash, Ford said: “Tai is in outstanding form. I am pleased that he is joining us at King’s Lynn.

“With Robert Miskowiak back as well, we might get a better idea of what type of team we are.

“My hopes are that we can, perhaps, pinch a point. If we could do that, I would be over the moon.

“Then, we would have to just get ready for the next tough part of the season and make sure that we are back in the mix.”

Experienced middle-order man Miskowiak returns from a leg injury to feature for bottom-of-the-table Pirates.

The Stars will be without Simon Stead after he sustained a hand injury in Poland at the weekend. Josh Grajczonek is his guest replacement.

Meanwhile, Pirates reserve Kyle Howarth has been named as captain for Great Britain’s World Under-21 Team Cup semi-final in Gdansk on May 25.

Stars: 1 Iversen, 2 Howe, 3 Korneliussen, 4 Alden, 5 Schlein, 6 R Worrall, 7 Grajczonek (guest).

Pirates: 1 Woffinden (guest), 2 Stachyra, 3 Holder, 4 Miskowiak, 5 Janowski, 6 Howarth, 7 Tungate.