NEIL Middleditch has revealed he will be sticking with "Elite League riders only" after being re-installed as Team Great Britain boss.

Middleditch, who is also Pirates' team manager, stressed Premier League men will not be considered for the World Cup in July.

He will be aiming to win the trophy for the first time in eight years as national boss when the climax is held in Vojens, Denmark.

After putting pen to paper on a new 12-month deal, Middleditch said: "I will be picking my team from Elite League riders only.

"With the points limit this year it has brought a few more boys up into the top flight.

"There are youngsters who have caught my eye and, hopefully, they can step up to international level this year.

"I will be working closely with the under-21 manager (who is expected to be Peter Oakes) throughout the season keeping an eye on their development.

"I want riders with ambition and the ambitious riders are riding in the Elite.

"If you are riding in the Elite you deserve a crack at it, you deserve a shot."

Middleditch, who took over the part-time role from Dave Jessup in 2001, added: "I'm delighted to be carrying on.

"It's a job I have been doing for a few years now and it has been very tough with injuries and lack of pool of riders.

"But, hopefully, this year a few new boys will come through and show their mettle.

"I think our round of the SWC is at Coventry. That stands us in good stead as we did well there last year and, hopefully, we can use that as a platform to get to the final at Vojens in Denmark this year."

Asked if he thought he would still be in the job eight years down the line from taking over, Middleditch said: "No, not really.

"You get asked to do the job and I am very fortunate to have done the job for so long.

"People, perhaps, say we haven't won the World Cup but we have made rostrum places and narrowly missed out when second to Sweden at Poole.

"I'm very proud to be national team manager. I have a good relationship with the riders and I'm flattered that the boys do feel highly of me.

"Until such time that someone else comes along who the BSPA feels can do better with what I have got to work with, I am happy to do it.

"I enjoy it and as well as the SWC and GPs we will have representatives helping the British boys at GP qualifiers and the top under-21 meetings."