'Krzys the right choice' (From Bournemouth Echo)

'Krzys the right choice'

7:00am Monday 5th May 2008 in

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BJARNE Pedersen has backed Pirates' swift decision to temporarily replace him with Krzysztof Kasprzak because he feels it is the best move for the club.

The Dane broke his left wrist in two places in a spill at Coventry on Friday when Poole Castle Cover bowed out of the Craven Shield in disappointing fashion.

So Kasprzak, a Pirates asset, makes his comeback at home to Swindon in the Elite League tonight (7.30pm) and will remain with the club for a month.

Doctors at Poole Hospital have advised Pedersen he will be out for "four to six weeks".

But he hopes to return for Pirates' home league clash against Peterborough on June 4.

Pedersen, who will sit out the next two World Championship GP rounds, said: "I feel after four weeks I'll be able to ride again. It's the right thing to do to bring Krzysztof in. He's a good replacement for me because he's good round Poole.

"We have away meetings at Lakeside, Peterborough and Swindon as well, and Krzys rides good at those tracks.

"It's a good move, although I don't know what will happen with (Karol) Zabik (who has broken ribs and a shoulder injury).

"The most important thing is to have seven riders in the team at any one time."

Pedersen stressed he couldn't believe the bad luck Pirates have suffered this year.

He said: "There have been four riders out with injuries.

"It's not just been for one or two meetings, we're talking about a month for each rider.

"We've been very unlucky.

"I think we've had just a couple of meetings when we've lined up with the whole team and without anyone carrying an injury. We've been struggling with rider replacement and guest riders.

"I think Matt picked a fantastic team in the first place but we've just been incredibly unlucky."

Pedersen, who is staying at Blandford until Wednesday before flying back to his Danish home, added: "The breaks in the bone are quite good.

"Sometimes when you break something there is a lot of air between the break, but I'm lucky the bones are close together, which is good."

Ford has admitted he may be forced to make other team changes before their league trip to Peterborough on Thursday.

Zbigniew Suchecki, who has a broken thigh, is out for at least three months, while Zabik has not put a date on his possible return yet.

It appears the Pole's team place is in serious jeopardy.

Pirates' use rider replacement to cover for Zabik tonight, while Craig Watson guests in place of Suchecki.

Swindon, who currently top the table despite losing 46-44 at Eastbourne on Saturday, are at full strength.

Poole hammered the Robins 54-39 at home in the Craven Shield on March 26, but lost the return at Blunsdon 46-44 the following night.

Pirates: 1 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 2 Freddie Eriksson, 3 Chris Holder, 4 Rider replacement for Karol Zabik, 5 Davey Watt, 6 (guest) Craig Watson, 7 Adam Skornicki.

Swindon: 1 Leigh Adams, 2 James Wright, 3 Mads Korneliussen, 4 Travis McGowan, 5 Troy Batchelor, 6 Theo Pijper, 7 Sebastian Alden.

Fixtures, today, Elite League: Ipswich v Peterborough, Pirates v Swindon (8pm), Wolves v Coventry.