POOLE Pirates promoter Matt Ford has stepped up his search for an eighth man but insists he will not recruit for the sake of it.

Ford, who instigated the rule change that allows Elite League clubs to draft in a spare rider, shelved plans to boost his numbers when initial target Kacper Woryna was drafted into Coventry's one-to-seven for 2016.

Top-flight promoters can book guests for heat leaders but must use rider replacement if they have one second stringer absent and do not have a number eight.

Only Hans Andersen and Krzysztof Buczkowski have been ever present in Poole's eight Elite League meetings to date with injury, illness and unavailability taking their toll – and Buczkowski is due to miss tonight's clash with Belle Vue due to a shoulder injury (7.30).

But while Lakeside and King's Lynn have taken up the option, Ford is keen to avoid having a new recruit kicking their heels.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "It is not necessarily a position that has caused us a problem but I would still like to sign a number eight.

"That said, I don't want to bring in someone based on being a named rider rather than an option that can really push for a place in the team.

"There is someone we are considering and taking advice on and there is a possibility that we will use that facility at some point in the campaign.

"It would be nice to make sure we can give anyone we sign some rides. Averages are always changing, ours in particular, so we just need to hold fire for now and make those decisions when the time is right.

"It is a case of watch this space. I need to feel comfortable that is right for us."

In the absence of Buczkowski, who is expected to be sidelined for a matter of days, Ford has recruited Wolverhampton's Joonas Kylmakorpi as a guest.

Bjarne Pedersen is poised to make his home debut while the fit-again Kyle Newman will ride in the Elite League for the first time in a month.

Pirates: Hans Andersen, Chris Holder, Joonas Kylmakorpi (guest), Kyle Newman, Bjarne Pedersen, Adam Ellis, Brady Kurtz.

Belle Vue: Craig Cook, Max Fricke, Scott Nicholls, Richie Worrall, Matej Zagar, Joe Jacobs, Steve Worrall.