Lindback set for Poole return (From Bournemouth Echo)

Lindback set for Poole return

7:00am Wednesday 10th September 2008 in

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ANTONIO Lindback could be set for a dramatic return to Poole more than a year since he last rode at the track.

Castle Cover Pirates chief Matt Ford has revealed he is "in talks" with the Swede to line up in a four-team tournament at Wimborne Road on Wednesday, September 17.

Ford said Karol Zabik, the ex-Poole rider currently wearing Peterborough's colours, will definitely take part in a meeting "being put together with a view to team places for 2009".

Young Brit Tai Woffinden will also ride, alongside Jason Doyle, Kevin Doolan, Mark Lemon and "two completely new faces to Poole in a Team Polski outfit".

Ford said: "Draper Tools are sponsoring the meeting and it will be a Poole side against the Premier League All-Stars and Team Polski.

"We're waiting on confirmation of the other team but I can reveal I'm in talks with Antonio and I'll be speaking to him again today."

Lindback, who last rode at the Dorset track for Belle Vue on August 22, 2007, would be a big draw for Pirates fans.

The 23-year-old former Grand Prix star is still the Wimborne Road track record holder and one of the most talented racers ever to line up for Poole.

After scorching to a stunning then club record-equalling 19 paid 21-point maximum on his Pirates debut in 2003, the Brazilian-born Swede made rapid progress.

He helped Poole complete the treble that year, the double in 2004 and also had solid-scoring seasons in 2005 and 2006.

But a troublesome knee injury sustained near the end of 2006 ended his campaign early.

Tiredness caused Pirates asset Lindback to miss out on Britain at the start of 2007, but he went on loan to Belle Vue later that year before personal problems caused him to quit speedway.

Lindback, who last rode for Poole at home to Reading on September 14, 2006, didn't go through with his threat.

Instead, earlier this year he dropped from Swedish top-flight MasarnaAvesta to second-tier Vargarna and also from Polish ExtraLeague Czestochowa to Division One Rybnik in a bid to start rebuilding his career.

Zabik appeared for Poole earlier this season before asking to be dropped. He signed for Peterborough last month and scored 11 in their 47-43 home win over Pirates on Monday.

Ford said: "It'll be great to see Karol back here next week. He's still an option to us for 2009.

"He will not become a Peterborough asset this year. Karol has asked to be put in the meeting so he can come and talk to us.

"So I want everyone to make him feel welcome and there's still a chance Karol could be lining up for Poole again.

"Adrian Gomolski had a massive crash in Poland on Monday so won't be able to make it. I don't know what he's done, but he was still in hospital yesterday.

"Draper Tools will be presenting the prizes in their Speedway Fantasy League, run in conjunction with Speedway Star, at the meeting.

"It's not just a fixture filler - we're looking at 2009, but we've also dropped admission to £12 (adults), £10 (OAPs and students) with children remaining at £4.

"It'll be 16 heats instead of 15 and that's cheaper than going to a Premier League meeting."