NEIL Middleditch admits Pirates are considering potential replacements for Krzysztof Kasprzak after the Polish star again slumped in the skull and crossbones.

The former world number two managed just six paid seven – with four of those points coming on a tactical ride – in tonight's 47-45 defeat to visitors Swindon.

Kasprzak retired on two of his rides and little more than a week after promoter Matt Ford urged the 32-year-old to "step up to the plate", Middleditch has revealed other options are being pondered.

The team boss believes the current Pirates line-up is not strong enough to win the SGB Premiership with Kasprzak's underwhelming points hauls proving a major frustration.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "I'm disappointed in Krzysztof's form. Six points and a bonus is not acceptable as a number one.

"Had he scored eight or 10 points, we would have won the meeting. We lost him at Somerset, which was an opportunity missed, and against Swindon he did not perform as a number one should.

"There's no way of candy-coating it, he is not doing his job. He really shouldn't be being beaten by anybody apart from perhaps Jason Doyle.

"He's not getting into the first corner or showing the aggression we know he can. He's blaming this and that but at the end of the day, he needs to sit down and think, 'is it me or is it the engines?' and be honest with himself.

"There's still a long way to go but Krzysztof needs to really up his game. As much as he wants to be at Poole, you can't win the league on sentiment.

"We are looking at what limited options are available. It's Matt's decision. His job is trying to win the league and at this moment in time, I don't feel we have the firepower to do that.

"The other options are very limited because riders are committed to clubs in Poland, Denmark and Sweden. They can't just drop everything and come to Poole."