ANDERSEN EARNS HIGH PRAISE FROM POOLE BOSS

Poole captain Hans Andersen has earned high praise from Poole boss Matt Ford after making himself available for the Pirates' tough trip to Belle Vue, Manchester on Friday.

The Dane had originally been due to have missed the meeting due to a Danish commitment but the meeting he was involved in was postponed and as soon as the rider heard that decision he made arrangements to book a flight back to the UK so that he could take his place in the Poole side.

Promoter Matt Ford admitted "Hans has shown an absolutely fantastic attitude towards the club. He had sufficient notice of the Danish cancellation and he made his flight arrangements and then told me he would be coming. I think that is shows his commitment to Poole Speedway and I am sure his presence in the team will be much respected by his colleague. I do think this is a case of the captain leading by example."

The Pirates were due to operate rider replacement for Andersen. They will still be missing injured Nicolai Klindt, for whom Josh Bates deputises and newly signed number on Grzegorz Zengota who has a Polish semi-final round to contest. Troy Batchelor steps in as cover.