PROMOTER Matt Ford anticipates Bjarne Pedersen will be back in Pirates colours next week following the death of his mother.

The Danish veteran missed last night’s meeting against Wolverhampton will not line up against Leicester at Wimborne Road tonight (7.30) but Ford is hopeful of a return for Wednesday’s home clash with King’s Lynn.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Bjarne at this very sad time for him and his family.

“We have told him to take as long as he needs and initially requested a facility for two weeks but I get the impression he will be back sooner rather than later.

“Bjarne has had a severe lack of meetings and without wishing to speak for him, he perhaps would like to keep himself busy rather than dwell on things.

"We may even see him ride on the continent before our meeting on Wednesday." 

Michael Palm-Toft will guest for Pedersen against the Lions with Todd Kurtz, brother of Pirates charger Brady Kurtz, riding in place of Leicester’s Ludvig Lindgren.

Pirates: Chris Holder, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Hans Andersen, Kyle Newman, Brady Kurtz, Michael Palm-Toft (guest), Adam Ellis. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

Leicester: Patrick Hougaard, Aaron Summers, Nicolai Klindt, Paul Starke, Szymon Wozniak, Todd Kurtz (guest), Josh Auty. Team manager: Norrie Allan.