MATT Ford is desperate to seal Vaclav Milik's return to Pirates for next year and admits: "The door is certainly not shut."

Promoter Ford has already begun planning Poole's 2017 title assault after they exited the Elite League play-off semi-finals to eventual champions Wolverhampton.

And Czech international Milik has emerged as one of Ford's early targets for the new one-to-seven.

The 23-year-old last rode for Pirates in 2014, his rookie season in British racing, playing a pivotal role as the club secured its second league title in as many seasons.

Known for his all-action style, club asset Milik has progressed rapidly since then and finished second only to Nicki Pedersen in this year's Speedway European Championship, beating the likes of Krzysztof Kasprzak, Antonio Lindback and Emil Sayfutdinov.

Milik's rapid advances in the shale sport have been monitored closely by Ford, who is keen to again draft in his talents.

But the Wimborne Road chief admits continental commitments could prove a barrier to the return of the former King's Lynn man.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "I can confirm the club have been in touch with Vaclav on half a dozen occasions with a view to a return in 2017. I truly believe he is one of the most improved riders in the past 18 months in world speedway.

"His form at Wroclaw this year, where he rode with Tai Woffinden and Maciej Janowski, was very good. He had a substantially higher average than Maciej, our captain in recent years.

"Unquestionably, he would be one of the first names on the teamsheet should he be willing to come. But at this point in time I have to say I think we may be fighting an uphill battle.

"It looks like Vaclav is near to completing his first contract in Sweden and along with his domestic league in the Czech Republic and also Poland, I'm not sure if it's going to be possible for him to do a fourth league.

"But you never know how things may change in speedway. Vaclav is certainly someone who I would like to return and I have sent countless messages to him, and he has responded.

"I have also contacted his good friend and advisor in the Czech Republic, who helped me when Vaclav came across a couple of years ago.

"Let's wait and see. The door is certainly not shut. I truly believe that at some point in time, Vaclav will represent the club again and my hope is that it will possibly be in 2017."

Pirates' Elite League season may be over but Wimborne Road still has one more meeting to host when the Blue Riband takes place on Friday next week.

The individual meeting will feature a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces, with the likes of Scott Nicholls, Nick Morris and Sam Masters supplemented by Adrian Cyfer, Frederik Jacobsen and Erik Riss.

Also due to race are members of this year's Pirates line-up – Kyle Newman. Adam Ellis, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Hans Andersen and Bjarne Pedersen.