TEAM boss Neil Middleditch admits Poole Pirates are outsiders in the Elite League title race – and doesn’t like that status one bit.

The injury-plagued Wimborne Road outfit head into tomorrow's play-off semi-final first leg at King’s Lynn (7.30pm) as second favourites to defend their crown with in-form Swindon the bookies’ pick.

A decisive factor in those calculations is undoubtedly the absence of suspended skipper Darcy Ward, while second-stringer Josh Grajczonek also misses out with a broken collarbone.

It represents a change of pace from previous years with Pirates usually regarded as the team to beat and Middleditch is adamant he prefers the pressure.

“I would much rather be sat here with Darcy and Josh in the team and have everyone gunning for us,” said Middleditch.

“Something always gets thrown up at the Pirates. Last year we scraped into the play-offs and ended up winning it but this year it has been the other way round.

“We have been pretty dominant all season and then we got hit with Darcy’s suspension and all these injuries.

“It will be a tough task to defend our title this time and I will be happy just to reach the final to begin with.

“If we come out on top after all the upheaval, I will be over the moon.”

Pirates’ choice to select Lakeside’s Danny King as Ward’s replacement at the Norfolk Arena has raised a few eyebrows but Middleditch backed his stand-in heat leader.

“Danny is a very competent rider and proved that in the Elite League Riders’ Championship,” he added. “People may not have seen it coming but he has shown good form round King’s Lynn this year.

“He’s not Darcy Ward and no one is pretending he is but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of scoring some very good points for us. His contribution will be crucial.

Craig Cook guests for Grajczonek, while Scott Nicholls covers Iversen’s absence for the Stars.

Stars: 1 Bjerre, 2 R Lambert, 3 Nicholls (guest), 4 Porsing, 5 Schlein, 6 Kerr, 7 S Lambert. Team manager: Rob Lyon.

Pirates: 1 King (guest), 2 Cook (guest), 3 Milik, 4 Pawlicki, 5 Janowski, 6 Compton, 7 Newman. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.