PIRATES team boss Neil Middleditch hopes Paul Starke can help to banish "ill feeling" over Kyle Newman's departure and says he will relieve any pressure from the new boy's shoulders.

Home town hero Newman was last week controversially axed by Poole owner Matt Ford and replaced by Starke, who starred as Pirates won the 2015 Elite League crown.

Ford's decision was met with dismay in certain quarters with some fans taking to social media to express anger over the reshuffle following Newman's return from injury last month.

However, with Starke primed to make his second debut in the skull and crossbones in tonight's home clash with SGB Premiership strugglers Leicester (7.30pm), Middleditch has urged supporters to fully back the doubling-up ace.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "It's a tough call for Starkey to come down here. He obviously reads social networks and maybe feels there is a bit of pressure on him but my job is to take that pressure off him and get him to do what he does best.

"There's no point not getting behind him. Paul helped us to a league title, he is a Pirate, he always said he wanted to be a Pirate again and he is.

"I hope the fans will get behind him despite the fact there was a bit of ill feeling over the Kyle incident. If we win meetings, the fans are happy.

"We had the same thing years ago when Mark Loram was replaced with Tony Rickardsson. People were up in arms about that. But the proof is in the pudding.

"Paul is not coming in to score 10 or 12 points but if he can bring a bit of stability to the middle order, he will have done his job."

Newman told his official website on Monday that while he remained "shocked" by his Pirates exit, the time had come "for everyone to move on".

And after wishing Newman well for the future, Middleditch revealed his hopes of linking up with the Poole-born charger again.

He added: "I'm disappointed for Kyle but at the end of the day what Matt gives me, I work with.

"Kyle has made it public that he felt he should have been given more of a chance but Matt is in the job of winning meetings and he feels Starkey will bring more to us.

"It won't be the last time Kyle rides for the Pirates, I'm sure. Maybe it will make him stronger and he will come back and have a point to prove.

"I wish him all the best and, hopefully, I will work with him in the future."

Looking ahead to the fixture against the Lions, Middleditch added: "I know Leicester are in the lower part of the league but they still have some very capable riders and we will have to have our wits about us.

"We're in a good position in the league. We could have had a few more points in the bag but all in all, I'm happy with what we've done this season."