TEAM boss Neil Middleditch is braced for a barrage of vitriol from speedway’s cyber warriors following Poole Pirates’ last-ditch swoop for Grand Prix star Troy Batchelor.

Swindon’s Australian ace will guest in the number one berth when Pirates host King’s Lynn in tomorrow's rescheduled Elite League play-off semi-final second leg at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

Craig Cook had been drafted in to fill Poole’s top slot for the initial meeting on Monday which had been due to take place at the same time as Swindon’s defeat to Coventry in the other semi-final.

But a hole in the track scuppered any chance of action three days ago, enabling Pirates and their opponents to enlist the help of riders from their rivals involved in the end-of-season shootout.

King’s Lynn have called on GP rider Chris Harris and flying reserve Jason Garrity from finalists Coventry but Middleditch reckons it will still be Poole in the firing line having secured one of British speedway’s top talents.

Asked whether Batchelor’s booking would stir up a hornets' nest, Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Probably, but I’m ready for that and happy to take the stick.

“I think people in speedway should be accessible to the paying public. Everyone is entitled to an opinion the same as I am and I don’t mind a bit of banter with the fans.

“First we were to blame for the postponement, then people said we were in cahoots with Sky. If anything, I was flattered that people thought we had that kind of influence.

“It’s a British thing. We have been the most successful club for the past 10-12 years and attract big crowds at away meetings because everybody wants to see Poole lose.

“I have no problem with that, it’s good for speedway. Most of it is well natured and there is no real animosity in most cases, you just get the occasional bad apple.”

Promoter Matt Ford said he had yet to discuss the prospect of borrowing Batchelor for the final but Middleditch was hopeful of holding on to the 27-year-old should Pirates progress.

Middleditch added: “Most of the top riders didn’t want to do it so we should be very thankful to Troy for stepping into the breach. We now have a number one for the semi-final and hopefully the final if we make it.

“Batch rides well round Poole and I’m sure he’ll do a good job for us. It was nice to get someone of his pedigree and I would like to think he still has affection for the club.

“He’s not riding for his own team but it still represents an opportunity for Troy to win a league title. Poole demands and enjoys success and he is just the sort of rider to relish that pressure.”

Edward Kennett remains in place for the injured Josh Grajczonek, while Vaclav Milik comes back in for Danny King.

Pirates: 1 Batchelor (guest), 2 Kennett (guest), 3 Pawlicki, 4 Milik, 5 Janowski, 6 Compton, 7 Newman. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

King’s Lynn: 1 Bjerre, 2 R Lambert, 3 Harris (guest), 4 Porsing, 5 Schlein, 6 Garrity (guest), 7 S Lambert. Team manager: Rob Lyon.