MATT Ford admitted Pirates' injury troubles had proved costly but said he would not make excuses come the end of the season.

Poole have been hit by significant injuries to Krzysztof Kasprzak, Nicolai Klindt, Brady Kurtz and Kyle Newman this year.

Ford has signed five new riders since unveiling his initial one-to-seven, the latest of which – Timo Lahti – made his debut at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The former Eastbourne man became the 12th rider to represent Poole in the SGB Premiership this year, excluding guests.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Two years ago, we went the whole season injury-free and won the league. This year we are yet to have a meeting where we have had our official one-to-seven.

"Richie Worrall, Grzegorz Zengota and Lewis Kerr have all stepped in because riders were going to be out for a reasonably prolonged period, and there have been other smaller injuries and availability issues as well.

"It has been a catalogue of problems and I genuinely feel it has cost the club. But you cannot make excuses, you have to work with the cards you are dealt.

"All I can hope is that any form of bad luck we are having, we have now rather than during the play-offs."

Meanwhile, James Shanes is set to receive a donation from the Riders' Equipment Fund tonight.