FORMER Poole favourite Gary Havelock believes Maciej ‘Magic’ Janowski could be Pirates’ trump card in the second leg of the Elite League semi-final.

Janowski will tonight lead Pirates at Wimborne Road when they do battle with King’s Lynn for a place in the grand final against Havelock’s Coventry.

The Polish ace maintained his impressive form when he top scored as Poole claimed a narrow 45-44 first-leg advantage at the Norfolk Arena 10 days ago.

Stand-in skipper Janowski had been a major doubt for the second leg after taking nine stitches to an arm injury sustained during a motocross smash a week ago.

But after initially ruling himself out, the 23-year-old was all set to race in Monday’s second leg before the clash was postponed and rearranged for tonight (7.30pm).

Coventry booked their place in the showpiece final after recording a 99-86 aggregate victory over much-fancied Swindon, the Bees triumphing 50-45 in Wiltshire three days ago.

Havelock, who rode for Pirates between 1998 and 2002 and also skippered the club, told the Daily Echo: “I think Magic has come of age this season and has a great future ahead of him.

“He is a lightning gater, a fast rider and very smooth round the track. He has all the attributes to go a long way in the sport.

“He has really stepped up to the plate for Poole this season. He has also had the added responsibility of taking over as captain and has taken it in his stride.

“In my opinion, he could be the difference in the second leg. If he comes up with 13 to 15 points and the other lads chip in, Poole should just edge it.

“It could be tight though and with so many injuries in both camps, you just never know. If both teams had been at full strength, my money would have been on Poole, especially at home.”

Havelock, who was crowned world champion in 1992, added: “Poole against Coventry would be a fitting final because we have been the two stand-out teams in the Elite League in the past 10 years. I have a lot of time for Neil Middleditch and Matt Ford and they run a great club.

“I don’t really have a preference and would happily face King’s Lynn as well. We rode them a few weeks ago and my opinion of them changed after they complained about us trying to use a guest reserve. It would be nice to have a chance to put one over them for that.

“I think a few people have underestimated us this season and I have heard a few things about our track. We prepare our track to suit us – it is what is known as home advantage.

"We beat Swindon fair and square in the semi-final and it was nothing to do with our track. The reason we won was because our riders were up for it and theirs weren’t, it was as simple as that.”