POOLE Pirates boss Neil Middleditch will be glued to the Finnish Grand Prix hoping bionic man Maciej Janowski emerges with a clean bill of health.

Janowski, a newcomer to speedway's biggest stage, continues his comeback after breaking a bone in his knee when the second meeting of the series takes place in Tampere tonight (5pm, GMT).

The Pole claimed a paid maximum as Wroclaw thumped Grudziadz 63-27 in his homeland on Sunday with Middleditch confident his skipper will be fit and flying for Monday's Elite League trip to Belle Vue after missing Poole past four meetings.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "For Maciej to get a paid maximum on his comeback in Poland said it all for his attitude and application. He is race fit again but you always watch these meetings with one eye on your own riders.

"The equipment available these days is incredible, though. Maciej will wear a knee brace which should protect him from any further problems if he does suffer a tumble.

"With Chris (Holder) in there too, the nerves get doubled but, hopefully, I can sit back at home and feel at ease while watching it."

Meanwhile, Middleditch predicted the man-made track at the Ratina Stadium would make for a close contest before giving his backing to British rider and recent Poole guest Chris 'Bomber' Harris.

"Hopefully, we'll get through the whole meeting this time," he added. "The track has been down for a little while so it should have bedded in properly.

"I hear it is a big, fast track. One-off meetings on these surfaces can be quite unpredictable and sometimes throw up different winners. That is the beauty of the system, while the favourites are always there or thereabouts you just never know.

"I would like to see Bomber do well, he is in good form at the moment and likes the big tracks. It would be good to see him on the rostrum."