PIRATES chief Matt Ford insisted Chris Holder would return stronger from his enforced absence and revealed: "He has been to hell and is on his way back."

Holder will miss Pirates' SGB Premiership opener at home to Belle Vue tomorrow as he continues to battle undisclosed personal issues.

However, Ford expects the 2012 world champion to return to the saddle within 10 to 14 days and cited the challenge meeting against Yarmouth on Thursday, April 26 as a likely date.

Sydneysider Holder, who has been replaced by former Grand Prix charger Peter Kildemand on a short-term basis, would in that situation miss five league meetings.

The 30-year-old did not ride in Torun's Ekstraliga opener against Gorzow on Sunday and is yet to race in Poland, or anywhere in Europe, this year.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Chris is certainly getting there. It is taking longer than expected but on Monday, significant progress was made.

"Potentially, he is only 10 days to two weeks away from being in a position where he can ride in the UK again.

"Chris has been to hell and is on his way back. It's an awful situation he has been in. It is being resolved but sadly these things do take time. If we can be patient, it will be resolved.

"This prolonged, enforced absence is probably going to make him keener than ever.

"Missing Britain is one thing but missing Poland is another because financially that places huge restraints on him.

"Chris hasn't earned a penny in the UK since last July (due to a ban which he has served). It's incredibly frustrating and fingers crossed it is over shortly and we can put it behind us and move on."

Pirates have had no fewer than six fixtures either postponed or cancelled this year. And Ford is desperate to get the wheels turning – in every sense – when the Aces visit Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

Ford said: "The only thing which normally matters to me is the result but in this case, I just want to race.

"We need to race and need to get the boys going. We haven't got a clue what type of form we're in because we haven't ridden and the guys have ridden so few matches.

"Belle Vue have been lucky enough to get a couple of matches under their belt, whereas we haven't had anything. We are desperate for the fixture."

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo on Monday, Somerset's Richard Lawson will guest for Belle Vue in the absence of injury victim Steve Worrall.

Former Pirates flier Paul Starke was brought in at the end of last month after young Pole Damian Drozdz sustained a shoulder problem.

The first 300 children through the gate will receive an Easter egg.

Pirates: (from) Brady Kurtz, Kacper Woryna, Josh Grajczonek, Linus Sundstrom, Peter Kildemand, Mateusz Szczepaniak, James Shanes.

Belle Vue: (from) Craig Cook, Max Fricke, Richard Lawson (guest), Rohan Tungate, Paul Starke, Dan Bewley, Jye Etheridge.