PIRATES welcome back Brady Kurtz for tonight's crucial SGB Premiership clash with Rye House at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

Kurtz has missed their past eight meetings after sustaining a broken rib during a track spill in Poland at the start of last month.

The Aussie, who has been one of Pirates' few shining lights this season, suffered the injury during the first heat of Pila's second-tier fixture against Krakow.

And with Pirates having failed to pick up any league points in their past five matches and facing the unprecedented prospect of a fifth consecutive home defeat, his return is well timed.

While stand-in star Richie Worrall will step down for Kurtz, the contest will see deadline signing Krzysztof Kasprzak make his debut for the Rockets.

Having started the campaign as Pirates' number one, Kasprzak suffered a string of disappointing performances, which led to his departure.

He managed just one double-figure score during a dispiriting and injury-interrupted spell which saw him suffer a collarbone injury.

And with his average dropping to just 5.51, he became an irresistible target for the Rockets as they could accommodate him at reserve.

Kasprzak's replacement Edward Kennett will face a host of former team-mates.

Kennett will come up against Wimborne Road big-hitter Chris Harris, the vastly-experienced Stuart Robson and seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls.

Ben Barker, Ricky Wells and Ben Morley make up the rest of the Rockets septet.

The visitors still have aspirations for the final play-off place, which is currently occupied by Pirates.

Poole: Hans Andersen, Jack Holder, Edward Kennett, Brady Kurtz, Timo Lahti, James Shanes, Paul Starke.

Rye House: Ben Barker, Chris Harris, Scott Nicholls, Stuart Robson, Ricky Wells, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Ben Morley.