MATT Ford is tipping battered and bruised Pirates ace Dennis Andersson to rediscover his best form.

Andersson struggled in his past two Poole outings and promoter Ford revealed a number of injuries had hampered the 20-year-old.

He managed three points at Peterborough on Monday to follow two in last Wednesday’s home meeting against Belle Vue.

Ford reported that the European under-19 champion was riding through the pain barrier in those fixtures.

But speaking ahead of tonight’s Elite League clash against King’s Lynn at Wimborne Road (7.30pm), the Poole chief backed him to come good.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Dennis has really been beaten up. His body was almost like one giant scab, for want of a better word.

“He wasn’t just beaten up with internal injuries but, externally as well, he was cut to pieces all over his body.

“In any other sport, they wouldn’t contemplate competing. But these guys are tough and they don’t let things like this stand in their way.

“But, unquestionably, when he fell off last week while carrying those injuries, it just really destroyed him.

“He has just had a three-day break and has got three meetings in three days this week, unfortunately.

“But Dennis will bounce back. I have no doubt about that.”

Andersson is named in an unchanged line-up from Monday night’s defeat at the East of England Showground, with injured reserve Christian Hefenbrock still sidelined.