JASON Crump will line up in Pirates' crucial Elite League clash at Peterborough tonight (7.30pm).

And Poole Castle Cover chief Matt Ford has stressed "We haven't given up on the title chase" despite two of their remaining fixtures being re-scheduled for after the play-off cut-off date.

Crump, who had his troublesome knee drained of fluid at the end of last week, pulled out of the top-flight riders' championship at King's Lynn on Thursday.

But the world champion, who broke his left kneecap earlier this season, has rested since that operation and is expected to take his place in the Dorset club's team at the Showground.

Ford said: "Jason didn't ride in the ELRC and he won't be riding in Sweden on Tuesday either.

"But he has given no indication he won't be at Peterborough tonight.

"I never thought any different. He was never missing it.

"He just missed the ELRC as an individual thing and it was the right decision for him to do that."

Peterborough picked up five points out of six with a 45-45 draw at Lakeside and a 48-42 triumph at Eastbourne over the weekend and are putting strong pressure on Pirates for third place in the table.

Ford said: "Lukas Dryml will be back in their team while Niels-Kristian Iversen is injured but it won't make a tremendous amount of difference to them.

"We only lost 46-43 there a few weeks ago and we will be giving it our best shot again tonight."

Poole, meanwhile, have announced they have been forced to rescheduled two away fixtures for after the play-off cut-off date.

It looks like they will go to Ipswich on October 4, while their scheduled trip to Eastbourne on September 10 has been put back to September 29.

With the semi-finals due to be raced on September 17, 24 and October 1, it means Pirates will lose out on a possible six points.

That seriously diminishes their chances of a top-two finish and home draw in the semis.

Ford said: "We have not given up on the title. It just looks as though we are away in the semis, not at home.

"Sadly, we are in the hands of Ipswich and Eastbourne who have specific reasons why they cannot accommodate us before a week Thursday.

"We believe we have done everything possible to try and assist these clubs.

"Had the table dictated that wins at both venues would have propelled us into the top two then we would have demanded our association -the BSPA - fit us in to make sure we had the chance."

With Peterborough nine points behind Poole but having three matches in hand - including two at home - Ford added: "It definitely doesn't matter which club we go to in the semis - Swindon, Coventry or Peterborough.

"Whichever one we go to we will be content and happy.

Pirates have pencilled in their Craven Shield home group match against Lakeside and Reading for September 12. Peterborough are also in the group.

Peterborough: 1 Andersen, 2 L Dryml, 3 R/r for Iversen, 4 Swiderski, 5 Bjerre, 6 King, 7 Hefenbrock.

Pirates: 1 Pedersen, 2 Batchelor, 3 Crump, 4 Boyce, 5 Kennett, 6 Boxall, 7 Doyle.