PIRATES chief Matt Ford has challenged Lewis Kerr to give him a selection headache after completing the signing of the British flier on an initial month-long deal.

Ford was forced to act by the absence of Kyle Newman, who sustained potentially long-term shoulder injuries in Friday's abandoned Darcy Ward Invitational.

With the SGB Premiership season just 10 days away, the Poole promoter was delighted to secure the services of Norfolk-born Kerr, who has ridden for Lakeside and King's Lynn in the top flight.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Lewis's contract is a minimum of 28 days but I have made it clear to him that we will review the situation with Kyle and the team-building situation.

"At times, riders may step up to the plate and make it very awkward for you to leave them out and that's for Lewis to prove.

"He is a confident lad and I would urge everyone to get behind him. He's quick from the gate and is tough to beat.

"This move has not come with the circumstances I wanted and it was doubly upsetting being this early in the season. But you have to deal with what's thrown at you."

The 27-year-old Kerr has linked up with the Wimborne Road club on a 5.98 average and is due to make his debut in the Knockout Cup first-leg clash with visitors Belle Vue a week today.

The flashpoint of his career came in the Premier League Fours at Peterborough in 2015 when he sustained severe head injuries in a horrifying crash.

Having been airlifted to hospital, Kerr was placed in an induced coma for five days.

Two years on, Ford revealed he felt Kerr had the potential to produce the best form of his career in Pirates leathers.

Ford added: "A couple of years ago, Lewis was on the verge of becoming a top rider but suffered multiple injuries.

"It has been steady progress back. He did fairly well for Lakeside last year but the truth is I have always felt he has got more in him.

"He contacted me on at least a dozen occasions out of season and sometimes a rider makes himself so available to you and is so desperate to ride for you, that you do feel that should anything occur, they would be a very adequate replacement."