Ford 'hopeful' over Covatti return

Danny Ford revealed he was “hopeful” of welcoming back Nico Covatti from injury in “a few weeks”.

Covatti suffered chest injuries in a nasty collision with team-mate Richie Worrall against Belle Vue on June 27.

Worrall was left with a broken ankle and is likely to be sidelined for several months.

Brady Kurtz, meanwhile, missed the Pirates’ home win over King’s Lynn on Thursday and will also be absent for the trip to the Adrian Flux Arena tomorrow (7.30pm) after suffering a heavy fall for Vetlanda in Sweden last week.

And with Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen also missing the visit to Norfolk, Ford has again been forced to patch up his table-topping side.

The Pirates co-promoter said: “As most people know, Richie suffered a fairly serious injury and his recovery will likely take a few months.

“Nico is recovering well from a rib injury and we hope to welcome him back in a few weeks, possibly sooner.

“Nikolaj has been for more tests on his appendix and is waiting on those results so will miss tomorrow’s meeting unfortunately.

“It’s been a testing few weeks with so many injuries, but the remaining guys in the team have really dug in alongside some very good guests so I hope we can keep our good run of form going.”

After impressing with 9+1 as a guest for Covatti against the Stars on Thursday, Ricky Wells once again pulls on the skull and crossbones race jacket tomorrow night.

Aaron Summers guests for Worrall, while Kyle Newman is in for Busk Jakobsen.

The Pirates will run rider replacement for Kurtz, while the Stars will be without Thomas Jorgensen, who sustained a shoulder injury in the clash at Wimborne Road on Thursday.

Stars: Robert Lambert, Michael Palm Toft, Erik Riss, Rider Replacement for Thomas Jorgensen, Craig Cook, Lewis Kerr, Simon Lambert.

Pirates: Rider Replacement for Brady Kurtz, Aaron Summers (guest), Nicolai Klindt, Josh Grajczonek, Jack Holder, Ricky Wells (guest), Kyle Newman (guest).

Picture: Taylor Lanning.