BULLISH team boss Neil Middleditch insists the best is yet to come from Pirates as the Elite League title race heats up.

Impressive doubles over Swindon and Lakeside have propelled the Wimborne Road side to within a point of the play-off spots ahead of tonight’s trip to Coventry (7.30pm).

And Middleditch feels his team, who have at least two meetings in hand on all of the current top four, can improve further despite recent eye-catching results.

He told the Daily Echo: “I’ve always said to the team that there were a few things that needed ironing out.

“I think there is still room for improvement. The results in the past few weeks have been excellent but I still think we have a bit more in the tank.

“I’m very positive about it. I’m not worried about the position we’re in and we’ve got matches in hand.

“If we continue to perform like we have been, we are going to be in a play-off position.

“Prior to the long break, at Swindon, I said to the boys that we needed to start doing something or we were going to start losing our way. They have done what I asked.”

Coventry have lost five of their past six meetings and suffered a demoralising defeat at home to King’s Lynn on Monday.

Middleditch added: “We are fully capable of winning up there but there is an intense rivalry between the clubs and dare I say it, they tend to lift their game when they face us.

“They can be a very dangerous side, particularly at Brandon. They have lost their way a bit but they will hope to bounce back and make amends.”

Kyle Newman is again set to sit out the action having missed Wednesday’s win over Lakeside at Wimborne Road. Ellis Perks has been booked to guest.

Poole-born Newman suffered a broken collarbone while racing for Plymouth at Peterborough in the Premier League three weeks ago.

His fellow fast track rider, Adam Ellis, who missed the win over the Hammers due to grasstrack commitments in France, is due to return to the side.

For Coventry, Ben Barker continues in the absence of Jason Garrity but Frenchman David Bellego replaces the unavailable Kacper Woryna at reserve.

Bees (from): Ben Barker, Josh Bates, David Bellego, Chris Harris, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Danny King, James Sarjeant. Team manager: Gary Havelock.

Pirates (from): Hans Andersen, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Adam Ellis, Chris Holder, Brady Kurtz, Ellis Perks (guest), Bjarne Pedersen. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.