PIRATES boss Matt Ford has swooped for Timo Lahti to replace Nicolai Klindt – ending a pursuit stretching back to the start of the season.

Klindt suffered serious knee ligament damage while racing for Polish outfit Krakow at Daugavpils at the start of June, a meeting in which Lahti rode for the host side.

And after Klindt returned to action in the SGB Premiership two and a half weeks ago, he battled through the pain barrier but failed to hit top form.

The Dane scored just one point at home to King's Lynn on Wednesday and sat out the return clash 24 hours later, before he and Ford agreed stepping aside would be the best route forward.

That allowed Poole to finalise a deal with ex-Finnish champion Lahti, who raced for Eastbourne for four years until 2014 and arrives at Wimborne Road on a 5.45 average.

Part of the set-up at Swedish sides Rospiggarna and Griparna as well as Finnish team Porin Nopea Racing, Lahti is set to make his Pirates debut in Monday's trip to Wolverhampton.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "While there is an immense amount of sadness that Nic has had to stand down, Timo is an excellent rider and I feel this move will benefit both parties.

"He is a different rider to the one who left Britain a few years ago. He has moved forward immensely and was an absolute star in Sweden and Poland last year.

"Truth be told, he was on the hit list at the start of the year but due to other commitments, he felt it would be too much to take on a full season in the UK.

"Now he feels extra racing will benefit him."

An Elite League play-off finalist with Eastbourne in 2011, Lahti is set to turn 25 tomorrow.

He is currently riding on a Swedish licence and was included in Sweden's Speedway World Cup long squad before failing to make the final cut.

Klindt is still due to compete in today's Speedway European Championship second round at German track Güstrow – as is Pirates number one Krzysztof Kasprzak.

Pole Kasprzak returned for the double-header with King's Lynn this week following his recovery from a broken collarbone.

However, Ford hinted the former world number two's team place was still under threat.

Ford added: "We are assessing the situation at the top end of the team. Krzys has still not managed to hit the heights we would like him to achieve.

"Five and six points against King's Lynn is not really enough for a number one, if I'm totally honest. That situation is under scrutiny at this point in time."