TEAM boss Neil Middleditch reckons Brady Kurtz could profit from Jack Holder's return to Pirates for the 2019 campaign.

Kurtz spent virtually all of last season at number one and despite receiving criticism from some quarters, played a key role in SGB Premiership title success.

The 22-year-old missed the grand final after he and then-Somerset rider Holder were injured following a crash in the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Wimborne Road.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Jack coming in at number one this season will take a bit of pressure off Brady.

“Brady did a good job last year even though it was a tough mantle for him.

“That bit of pressure off his shoulders might allow him to blossom a bit more.”

Nico Covatti and Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen will start the season at reserve, with Richie Worrall arguably the most likely candidate to drop into the bottom two in any reshuffle.

Middleditch said: “I say time and again that reserves win you meetings.

“If your top five can score seven each and the reserves can do the same, we are going to win matches all day long.

“Whoever goes to six or seven, we will have a strong tail end and that’s very important.”