NEIL Middleditch reckons title-seeking Coventry are out to ease King’s Lynn’s passage to the Elite League Grand Final – because they don’t fancy facing Poole Pirates.

Poole’s team boss is preparing his patched-up charges to defend a 45-44 lead over the Stars at Wimborne Road tonight (7.30pm) in the third attempt to stage the weather-hit semi-final second leg.

Coventry secured their spot in British speedway’s showpiece with a surprise 99-86 aggregate victory over Swindon nine days ago with their riders subsequently eligible for guest bookings in the rescheduled semi-final.

Middleditch described as “ludicrous” the loophole which has allowed Bees’ Grand Prix star Chris Harris and top reserve Jason Garrity to stand in for injured King’s Lynn duo Niels-Kristian Iversen and Lewis Kerr in the decisive shootout.

And the Wimborne Road manager can think of only one reason why their rivals are so keen boost the Stars’ artillery |as the season enters its final stretch.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “I find it all a bit strange. In Coventry’s position, I don’t think I would put two of my riders at risk of injury ahead of the Elite League final to go and race for another team in the play-offs.

“I’m not sure what the thinking is from the Coventry promotion but I’m sure there is method in their madness – perhaps they want to ride against King’s Lynn.

“Maybe they’re flattering us in a way. It could be that they don’t want to race against us in the final.”

He continued: “It makes the sport a laughing stock. I speak to people who are not involved in speedway and they can’t believe that someone who is involved in the final can possibly go and ride in another semi-final. It’s absolutely ludicrous.”

For Pirates, Troy Batchelor and Edward Kennett guest for the suspended Darcy Ward and injured Josh Grajczonek. Poole-based reserve Brendan Johnson stands in for Benji Compton who has dislocated his shoulder.

If the weather intervenes again, Poole may be forced into another team change with promoter Matt Ford revealing that Vaclav Milik is due to ride in the Czech play-off final for Pardubice.

In the event of another rain off, the tie would be restaged tomorrow (7.30pm).

Pirates: 1 Troy Batchelor (guest), 2 Edward Kennett (guest), 3 Vaclav Milik, 4 Shamek Pawlicki, 5 Maciej Janowski, 6 Brendan Johnson (guest), 7 Kyle Newman. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

Stars: 1 Kenneth Bjerre, 2 Robert Lambert, 3 Chris Harris (guest), 4 Nicklas Porsing, 5 Rory Schlein, 6 Jason Garrity (guest), 7 Simon Lambert. Team manager: Rob Lyon.