PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch insisted Swindon's not-so-secret weapon could inspire the Robins to a late play-off charge.

Poole asset Darcy Ward has hit double figures in seven out of eight Elite League meetings since he joined the Blunsdon side last month.

Swindon are just two points behind Belle Vue with four fixtures in hand, although Alun Rossiter's side still have to face Coventry three times, King's Lynn twice and Pirates once, with the latter fixture due to take place at Wimborne Road tonight (7.30pm).

A home clash with Leicester also awaits and despite the Robins' tough run-in, Middleditch believes the Wiltshire septet could seal a top-four spot if Ward continues to weave his magic.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "Swindon can make the play-offs – they have got the Darcy Ward factor.

"He is leading by example at the moment. One rider doesn't make a team but if one rider is scoring exceptionally well then it certainly helps, as we know from the years we've had him with us.

"Swindon have a tough run-in but they stand a very good chance of getting in the play-offs. If they do it, you'd have to fancy them as one of the favourites to win the whole thing. They have a tremendous team there.

"As a team manager it is great to know you have a number one who will bang in double figures for you every time. All you need in that situation is for the rest of the team to back him up."

Reflecting on Pirates' current fortunes, Middleditch added: "When all of the riders fire, we are a very dangerous team but you only need one rider to have an off-night and everyone else to perform slightly below-par and we become an average team.

"We can't afford to be doing that come the play-offs.

"If we are going to challenge seriously for a third title in a row then everyone has to be on top form, otherwise any flaw in our armoury will be shown up."

Pirates second-stringer Kacper Gomolski is a doubt for the visit of the Robins after aggravating a knee problem while racing in Poland.

The 22-year-old, who bagged a 10-point haul against Belle Vue seven days ago, was yesterday due to undergo physio on the problem.

The Wimborne Road fixture, initially earmarked to be shown on Sky, will not now be televised due to the broadcaster's concerns over the weather forecast.

Pirates: (from) Chris Holder, Maciej Janowski, Dakota North, Davey Watt, Kacper Gomolski, Kyle Newman, Paul Starke. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

Swindon: (from) Troy Batchelor, Nick Morris, Aaron Summers, Darcy Ward, Grzegorz Zengota, Robert Branford, Charles Wright. Team manager: Alun Rossiter.