PIRATES chief Matt Ford has admitted his relief after Renat Gafurov was given permission to ride in Britain for two years.

The Russian received the news he would be able to line up for Poole Castle Cover this term during a visit to the British Embassy in Moscow yesterday.

Gafurov’s signature ended a long drawn-out affair to obtain a work permit, which began in December. It also completes Poole’s one-to-seven.

Pirates chief Matt Ford said: “Renat sent us a text saying he’d been granted a two-year work permit.

“It means if we’d like to use him in 2012 we would not have to go through the application process again.

“I’m mightily relieved. Earlier this week I was starting to panic thinking I’d have to come up with an alternative to get someone in to cover our opening challenge matches.”

Ford, whose club stage their official press and practice on Monday, added: “I’m hoping Renat will arrive here on Sunday to give himself a good night’s rest before he gets on Poole’s track for the first time in five years.

“I honestly think he has a big part to play in our season because he’s clearly a rider who has improved.

“A lot of our season depends on how well we make Renat and Rafal Dobrucki feel here.

“They’re both good riders and we just need to make them feel part of the Pirates family.

“If we do, I feel we’ll see the best of them.”

Ford continued: “I have someone in mind for the number eight role, although I’m not going to rush into anything.

“But I will have someone in place by March 28 when we begin our Elite League fixtures at Birmingham.”

• Ford has given Swindon permission to speak to Pirates asset Jason Doyle about the possibility of using him as a replacement for Grzegorz Zengota, who has broken his femur in a practice spill in Poland.

• Grand Prix stars Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Crump are confirmed starters in Pirates captain Davey Watt’s testimonial at Poole on August 31.

Watt said: “Jason has been one of the top riders in the world for a long time and has had a huge impact on my career, while Emil is also a good friend of mine who I rode with in Sweden in 2007 and 2008.

“I hope to have some more big name signings to follow.”