EX-BUCCANEERS ace Kyle Newman is set to line up for Pirates this year after securing a shock squad place.

In a surprise move by Wimborne Road chief Matt Ford, the Poole-born teenager will be handed either the number seven or eight race jacket.

Newman’s exact position will be determined by whether Pirates targets Rafal Dobrucki and Renat Gafurov both ride for the Elite League outfit.

Ford has confirmed for the first time he is in talks with Pole Dobrucki.

If he signs, Dobrucki would represent the club for the whole season, not just in 12 meetings as some Poole fans feared would be the case in comments posted on internet forums.

Gafurov has agreed terms with Ford, but the Russian must be granted a work permit to be able to ride in Britain.

He takes an English language test tomorrow in Russia, with the outcome vital to his hopes of riding for Pirates.

If either move breaks down, Ford will have to take a different route to complete his one-to-seven, which, so far, comprises confirmed starters’ Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Darcy Ward and Dennis Andersson.

Although Dobrucki and Gafurov are experienced riders, it is Newman’s unexpected elevation into the top-flight that will capture the imagination of Poole’s fans.

The ambitious 19-year-old has always been a firm favourite of the Wimborne Road faithful, partly because of his Dorset roots and partly because of his determined, never-say-die, style of racing.

Newman, who rode for Poole’s academy team in 2007, has also appeared for Weymouth, Bournemouth and Newport in the National League.

His Premier League breakthrough came in 2009 with Newport.

He impressed as a reserve at Birmingham last season and will also line up for Newcastle this year.

Ford said: “This is a big step for Kyle. But he’s riding well in Australia, where he won the Queensland under-21 title, and is currently taking part in the senior national championship as an overseas rider.

“He also made rapid progress last year and I’d go as far as to say if he’d ridden for Buccaneers, they might have picked up some silverware.

“I’m not 100 per sure, but there’s every chance Kyle will line up at number seven along with a more experienced doubling-up rider.”