MATT Ford has refused to promise Chris Holder a team place at Pirates despite admitting: “We will see a different rider next season.”

Ford is yet to formally name any riders in his new one-to-seven but bringing back former world champion Holder would be a popular decision among fans.

The team-building process hinges on the outcome of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association’s AGM, a rule-making summit which is due to begin on Friday and finish on Sunday.

After talks in Tenerife have been completed, Ford can begin the task of putting together a septet for Poole’s SGB Premiership title tilt.

As revealed by the Daily Echo last week, Pirates asset Holder contacted Ford to declare his interest in racing in Britain next year following a miserable campaign at King’s Lynn which culminated in a ban.

And although his average has plummeted to 7.16, Ford would not guarantee the 30-year-old a return to the club with which he has won five top-flight crowns.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “This was a year Chris would want to forget but I think we will see a different rider next season.

“Having had many problems on and off track, he has been given the chance to return to the UK in March and race with everyone else following the reduction of his ban.

“He has been in touch to say he is keen to ride. That isn’t saying Chris is going to end up at Poole because there are so many things to take into consideration but it’s great that he wants to ply his trade here.”

Holder, who resides in Ringwood during the season, finished 10th in this year’s world championship but received a wild card to return for the 2018 series.

Ford added: “I always felt Chris would be given a wild card and I think it’s justified because he has always performed very well in the world championship in the past.

“I’m really pleased he has been given the nod.”

The Pirates faithful were wowed by Holder’s displays between 2008 and 2016.

Ford turned down the chance to include the Sydneysider in last season’s septet due to his weighty 12.53 average, brought about by a controversial conversion factor ruling.

Holder stated publicly his disappointment at missing out, citing a lack of loyalty, but it is understood matters have been smoothed over.

The five-time Aussie champion endured a tumultuous season at King’s Lynn which unravelled when the Stars raced against Pirates in July – a meeting in which track conditions came under the spotlight.

Holder raced in just two heats at the Adrian Flux Arena and twice missed the two-minute time allowance.

It is thought Ford helped him write an appeal to the Auto-Cycle Union which caused the his nine-month ban to be reduced, enabling him to ride in Britain in March rather than mid-April.