POOLE Pirates are hoping both Rory Schlein and Benjamin Basso can return for tomorrow's showdown with Redcar Bears.

Pirates remain unbeaten at Wimborne Road this year, ahead of their final regular league meeting of the campaign.

Neil Middleditch's men suffered a 49-41 reverse in the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final at Leicester on Saturday, with three of their septet missing.

Stefan Nielsen is again unavailable tomorrow due to injury, with Anders Rowe stepping in as a guest. However, Pirates remain hopeful Schlein and Basso can return.

Aussie Schlein was been isolating following a positive COVID-19 test, while Basso injured his ribs in a crash in Denmark last Wednesday.

Pirates face a tough test to ensure their unblemished home record stays in tact, when they welcome second-placed Redcar to Dorset tomorrow (7.30pm).

However, even if they are beaten, just one point from the meeting will ensure top spot in the division, which would allow Poole to have their pick of play-off semi-final opponents.

"We are very close to achieving our first goal and be confirmed as the top team from the regular league campaign," said promoter Danny Ford.

"It would take a string of very surprising results for us not to do so, but we will be going into Wednesday's meeting with the same approach that we have had all season - to win it, then all the ifs and buts can be put aside.

"But we will be under no illusion that things will be easy.

"We saw what Redcar are capable of when we let them back into the meeting at their place (48-42 win for Bears), so will give them the respect they deserve but with the view to sending them home pointless."

Jade Mudgway's Bears look set to boast a full one-to-seven for tomorrow's meeting.

Pirates: Rory Schlein, Benjamin Basso, Steve Worrall, Ben Cook, Danny King, Anders Rowe (guest), Danyon Hume.

Redcar: Charles Wright, James Sarjeant, Jake Allen, Lewis Kerr, Michael Palm-Toft, Ryan Kinsley, Jordan Jenkins.