TEAM boss Neil Middleditch reckons a 10-day break from Elite League action could be a blessing in disguise for patched-up Poole Pirates.

Middlo's men travel to Lakeside tonight (8pm) for their fourth meeting in 10 days but then do not return to the shale until a week Monday when they make the long trek to Belle Vue.

Captain Maciej Janowski (knee) and Kyle Newman (elbow) remain sidelined but could be in line for a return by the time the club’s next fixture comes round, while Davey Watt and Kacper Gomolski continue to manage their early-season injuries.

And while Middleditch admitted he would prefer to be in the thick of the action, he reluctantly acknowledged that the gap in Poole’s schedule could hardly be better timed.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Most of the boys are riding elsewhere anyway but a little break can sometimes be a good thing. Dare I say it, with the injuries as they are it is probably not the worst time for it to fall.

“Yes, you always want to keep riding and build momentum but you are best placed to do that with a fully-fit side, something we haven’t had the rub of the green with lately.”

Wolverhampton veteran Peter Karlsson and reserve Lewis Blackbird stand in for Janowski and Newman at the Arena Essex Raceway with Gomolski set to ride despite his heat 14 spill against Wolves on Wednesday.

Newman has since been given the green light to return after X-rays revealed no structural damage but Middleditch has decided to err on the side of caution with his prized asset.

“Hopefully we can get Kyle back on a bike pretty quickly but I have told him not to rush back,” he added.

“Riders are always the same, they all want to dive straight in but you can come back too early and I have advised him to take his time and allow it to heal.

“We will miss him but I would rather see him sit one meeting out, particularly at Lakeside because it is pretty tough round there at the best of times. We’re much better off having a fit and flying Kyle Newman for the rest of the season rather than take any risks with his recovery.

“Kacper has banged the same arm a few times now and ended Wednesday with an ice pack on it but he is made of stern stuff. He should be alright.”

Hammers reserve Steve Boxall is expected to overcome a shoulder complaint in time to take part. King’s Lynn’s Rory Schlein stands in for Andreas Jonsson for the hosts.

Lakeside: (from) Mikkel Bech, Steve Boxall, Adam Ellis, Edward Kennett, Richard Lawson, Kim Nilsson, Rory Schein (guest). Team manager: Neil Vatcher.

Pirates: (from) Lewis Blackbird (guest), Kacper Gomolski, Chris Holder, Peter Karlsson (guest), Dakota North, Paul Starke, Davey Watt. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.