RISING star Frederik Jakobsen is targeting a spot in the main body of the Poole Pirates team.

The 20-year-old, one of Danish speedway’s brightest prospects, has been in fine form since replacing Mateusz Szczepaniak in June.

Jakobsen had been set to take his place in the Poole septet ahead of the 2019 season but was fast-tracked into the side after telling boss Matt Ford he was available to start earlier.

The Ejby-born charger has racked up 37 paid 46 in six SGB Premiership meetings and has been particularly impressive at Wimborne Road.

He said: “It’s always nice to be at reserve because you get easier heats but I would like to get into the top five. It’s another challenge and a confidence boost to stay there as well.

“I’ve been feeling great so far. Hopefully, I can keep the pace going. I was a bit afraid of how it would be signing in mid-season, not really knowing all the boys and the mechanics.

“But everything has worked out really well and Matt (Ford) has helped me a lot. I’m pleased to be here and am very grateful.”

Jakobsen, the son of former racer Jan, who turned out for Cradley Heath in the late 1980s, will be hoping to maintain his excellent form when Pirates host Leicester tomorrow (7.30pm).

And Pirates chief Ford has urged his riders to show no mercy to the beleaguered Lions.

Rider of the night Jakobsen claimed two heat wins and scored nine paid 11 when Poole recorded a convincing 53-37 victory at Leicester’s Paul Chapman & Sons Arena nine days ago.

And sparked by Chris 'Bomber' Harris, Pirates registered no fewer than seven successive maximums when they trounced the Lions 58-32 at Wimborne Road on July 25.

The East Midlanders, who were at Swindon tonight, slumped to a sixth consecutive defeat at Wolverhampton on Monday, the first of four meetings for them this week.

A win for play-off chasing Pirates would see them complete four victories over the bottom-placed Lions this season and set them up perfectly for a battle with frontrunners Somerset on Monday.

Ford told the club website: “One of the things that has impressed me in recent weeks has been the ferocity of our riding.

“Even when we have put ourselves well out in front, the boys haven’t taken their foot off the gas at all.

“We ran in seven consecutive 5-1s against Leicester at home and then five away – that is a team that means business and, although it’s never nice to see a team struggling like Leicester are at the moment, I want that ruthless streak to continue as we head towards the end of the season.”

Pirates are unchanged but Leicester have drafted in Swindon’s David Bellego to guest for Charles Wright.

The Lions will also use David Howe as cover for Josh Auty, who was injured in a crash on Sunday.

Pirates: Brady Kurtz, Josh Grajczonek, Nicolai Klindt, Richie Worrall, Chris Harris, Kacper Woryna, Frederik Jakobsen.

Lions: Hans Andersen, Ricky Wells, David Bellego (G), Stuart Robson, Scott Nicholls, Connor Mountain, David Howe (G).