MATT Ford admitted he would have been interested in pursuing a deal for Polish star Piotr Pawlicki had the one over eight rule not been introduced.

At last month's British Speedway Promoters' AGM, it was agreed SGB Premiership teams could sign only one rider with an average of 8.00 or higher.

But with Pirates boss Ford already keen to bring back the 8.08-rated Brady Kurtz, that effectively ruled Pawlicki out of a return to Wimborne Road.

The Leszno-born rider finished sixth in his maiden Grand Prix series in 2015 before ending 11th this year, denying him a place in the 2018 world championship.

Asked about his course of action had the one over eight rule not been implemented, Ford told the Daily Echo: "There's one or two I would have been interested in.

"Brief messages had been exchanged between me and Piotr Pawlicki but being a Grand Prix rider, he would have had his average reassessed.

"While he finished on 7.32 at Wolverhampton in 2014, it is usual that if a Grand Prix rider has been out of British speedway for three years, his average will be reassessed.

"My thoughts were immediately shelved when I realised the rule would happen but I'm not saying I'm unsupportive of it. I think it's done in the interests of fairness and it is probably the right thing to do."

Pawlicki enjoyed a brief spell in Dorset as a 17-year-old, replacing broken leg victim Dennis Andersson late in the 2012 campaign.

The youngster's explosive impact helped Poole reach the Elite League play-off final but he was ruled out of the defeat to eventual champions Swindon after aggravating a shoulder injury.

Two-time World Cup winner Pawlicki tasted Grand Prix meeting success for the first time in May when he triumphed at Latvian track Daugavpils.