PROMOTER Matt Ford fears Poole Pirates will suffer a “landslide” defeat at Lakeside on Friday with FIVE of his seven riders set to miss the clash.

Pirates were already understrength with Danish duo Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen committed to fixtures in their homeland and Brady Kurtz heading to Lonigo for practice ahead of the Grand Prix qualifying semi-final.

The problem has been exacerbated by the Polish Championship final being rearranged for Friday, ruling out Krzysztof Buczkowski, and Kyle Newman suffering a broken collarbone.

With Coventry hosting Swindon and Belle Vue welcoming King’s Lynn on the same night, there is a dearth of Elite League riders available to guest.

And while Ford was keen to avoid pointing the finger at his Lakeside counterparts, he revealed there would be little option but to draft in Premier League riders for the trip to Purfleet.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “I am fearful over the calibre of team I am able to put out that day.

“Everything has been tried in terms of moving the fixture and I thank Lakeside for their assistance, but they cannot get anyone else to take a fixture that day.

“They have had meetings rained off and have to contend with Grand Prix weekends so feel they cannot postpone it.

“My worry is that it will be a landslide and I cannot do anything about it. There are simply no riders to bring in so I will have to dip into the Premier League to fill heat-leader positions.

“We have exhausted every avenue. Freddie Lindgren and Joonas Kylmakorpi (both Wolverhampton) took my calls but could not do it because they are in the Grand Prix qualifying semi-final.

“We have held several conversations and have been aware since February that it would present a problem. It has not been neglected, Lakeside just feel they cannot change it.”

Meanwhile, last season’s reserve hero Paul Starke has been booked to guest for the injured Newman in Wednesday’s home clash with King’s Lynn.