MARTIN Smolinski says he has held talks with Pirates over joining the club on a short-term basis – or perhaps longer.

The 33-year-old, a winner on the Grand Prix circuit, admits an agreement could be close.

Pirates are bottom of the SGB Premiership following a disappointing start to the season and boss Matt Ford has revealed changes are being looked at.

Speaking to the FIM’s YouTube channel, former Birmingham and Coventry racer Smolinski said: “At the moment I am negotiating with Poole.

“Maybe I will support them next week and help them out because they need help for one month, maybe longer, it depends what happens with the averages.

“We will see what goes on.”

Smolinski today won the first round of the Long Track World Championship in Herxheim.

He races for Landshut in his homeland of Germany and also has a contract with Polish club Zielona Gora.

In 2014, Smolinski took a surprise victory in the opening Grand Prix of the season in New Zealand, making him the first German to win a GP round.

Pirates are due to face Rye House away on Monday before the teams meet again at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.