PIRATES asset Kyle Newman has made a swift return to the top flight after completing a move to Leicester.

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo last night, the 25-year-old racer quickly earned a new team place just 10 days after being replaced by Paul Starke at Poole.

Fans' favourite Newman supplants Danny Ayres in the line-up for the Lions, who were beaten 52-40 at Wimborne Road yesterday evening.

Newman told his personal website: "I'm delighted to get a deal sorted out so quickly. Leicester have shown faith in me by offering me a team spot and I'm really looking forward to getting started.

"The promotion came in late through the winter but I think we have a competitive team. The table doesn't make for good reading for the Leicester fans but, hopefully, we can turn that around from now until the end of the season."

Newman is due to make his Lions debut at Somerset tomorrow as his team look to climb off the bottom of the SGB Premiership standings.

He added: "I know the Somerset track well having ridden for the club in the past.

"It's a track I enjoy and this is probably the perfect chance for me to have a successful debut. The team needs win and that's what we'll be going there to achieve."

Newman returns to Championship action tonight when Ipswich face Workington at Foxhall.