COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock admits he would relish the prospect of taking on former employers Poole Pirates in the Elite League play-off final.

Pirates and Coventry hold a nine-point advantage at the top of the standings with Neil Middleditch's side the current leaders.

Poole outgunned their visitors 53-37 at Wimborne Road five days ago in a tense top-of-the-table clash notable for a spat between Bees rider James Sarjeant and start marshal Rob Wadham.

The teams' previous meeting at Brandon on June 1 had also attracted controversy after the clash was curtailed following the 10th heat, handing Poole victory and four league points.

With a healthy rivalry between the clubs building, Bees boss Havelock revealed that a play-off clash against Pirates would be high on his agenda.

He told the Daily Echo: "I certainly think that barring any major catastrophes for either team, Poole and Coventry will be in the play-offs.

"Whether the one that is higher picks the other in the semis, I doubt very much, and all things being equal it could be another Poole-Coventry final.

"That would be fantastic. Although Leicester and Wolverhampton are close neighbours of ours and meetings against them are derby matches, meetings against Poole are the biggest fixtures of the season, it's as simple as that."