PIRATES boss Matt Ford is hopeful of completing a second swoop for American legend Greg Hancock – this time on a one-off basis.

Quadruple world champion Hancock helped Poole win the Elite League crown in 2013 after replacing the injured Chris Holder midway through the season.

And Ford wants the 47-year-old to return to Wimborne Road for Pirates' season-opening 70th anniversary meeting on Friday, March 23.

If Hancock is able to overcome visa issues, he will be joined by promising youngster Luke Becker, who represented the United States in last year's World Cup.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "We are waiting on Greg and are hopeful he will come.

"We are working on it, the issue is the visa to bring him in for a one-off event. If we get Greg, we get Luke as well."

Pirates are due to hold press and practice on Wednesday, March 21 with the 70th anniversary meeting following 48 hours later and a gala dinner at Cherries' Vitality Stadium headquarters on the Saturday.

Field to date: Hans Andersen, Nico Covatti, Josh Grajczonek, Chris Holder, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Frederik Jakobsen, Nicolai Klindt, Brady Kurtz, Bjarne Pedersen, Linus Sundstrom, Mateusz Szczepaniak, Kacper Woryna.