POOLE Pirates boss Matt Ford has wasted no time in sounding out possible new recruits following the conclusion of British speedway’s annual general meeting.

Ford last night flew back to England having spent four days on Tenerife formulating plans for the new season with fellow members of the sport’s promoters’ association.

One of the most significant changes will see the average team points limit increase to 42.5 – with Premiership clubs permitted one rider on eight or more.

And while Brady Kurtz would appear to be Poole’s favoured option, it is understood a number of other riders could be on Ford’s wish-list – with Maciej Janowski among them.

Poole assets Niels Kristian Iversen and Kenneth Bjerre are also in the frame, together with Hans Andersen, Chris Holder and Leon Madsen.

Ford, who has yet to unveil any of his one to seven for Pirates’ 70th anniversary campaign, told the Daily Echo: “Our team-building starts now.

“In my opinion, the 42.5-point limit gives us room to strengthen because we didn’t have the most successful of campaigns last year.

“I don’t necessarily believe a higher average will help some of the younger riders at the bottom end of the team because I think there may be a few more experienced riders coming back to this country.

“That said, I will still be hoping to use James Shanes, although there can’t be any guarantees on that at this moment in time.

“It will have to be a numbers game and, as and when I get the top end of the team correct, then things will move forward fairly rapidly.

“I have already been in touch with a number of riders to put them in the picture that they would certainly come into my plans should they be willing to ride in the UK.

“I would certainly hope that over the next 10 days to two weeks we will start to see the team take shape.”

Asked about the increase in the limit, Ford said: “The points limit is fine and I have always said I am in favour of a high one.

“Even though the AGM has finished, there are certain things we are still waiting on at this point in time. Although all the rules have been made, there are still one or two concerns.

“The room was very sensible in its thoughts as to how we assemble teams.

“We tried to make it so that it was as fair as possible and every team could have one rider above an eight-point average.

“Last year, only seven riders plying their trade in the Premiership has this so it makes sense that each club has the opportunity to track one top rider.

“There will be an element of movement at the top end of teams but we will make sure that the likes of Somerset, in particular, have a genuine number-one heat leader.”