PIRATES PRESSURE PILES UP

The pendulum of speedway fate has taken a major swing in Swindon's favour ahead of the mouth-watering clash between the Pirates and the Robins on Monday night.

 Table topping Poole, who have a five point lead over Coventry , although having ridden one more meeting, are facing the likely prospect of not being able to field their chosen one to seven following Maciej Janowski's crash at Lakeside on Friday night.

 The inspirational Poole skipper was involved in a crash with Sweden's Andreas Jonsson with Janowski suffering shoulder, chest and back pains and the 24 year old Pole has returned home to undertake treatment and seek medical advice on his condition and Poole boss Matt Ford rates his chances as 'highly unlikely' of being able to lead the Pirates against in-form Robins.

 The Wiltshire side strengthened their claims of a play-off place with a crushing victory over injury-ravaged Coventry, also on Friday, a result that puts them five points clear of fifth-placed Belle Vue and hold a two match advantage over the Aces.

 Looking ahead to Monday, a meeting originally scheduled last Wednesday but washed out due to the British weather, Ford has stated "The likely loss of Maciej is a big blow to us. He has been absolutely brilliant, especially at Wimborne Road, and he is virtually irreplaceable around here at the moment. I am really hoping and praying that it won't be anything long-term injury-wise. We are pretty certain he has not suffered any broken bones. He has a very nasty wound (see below) on his back just below the shoulder blade which we are all hoping will prove to be more of a case of bruising but it goes without saying that we all wish him a very speedy recovery."

"It has made an already tough task of trying to beat Swindon considerably much harder now. They are very much the in-form side at the moment and, as happens in sport, things appear to be falling their way on the fortune front, just at the right time."

"That said, they have made some shrewd signings to re-invigorate their season, with Darcy giving them in the boost they really needed and clearly by adding Aaron Summers they have found a rider with plenty of good form and seems to be offering them in-depth options. "

"There is a lot to ride for over our last three league meetings and maximum points from all of them would ensure we finish top of the table which has been and remains our initial target. I am hoping that prize will inspire our boys on and if as I suspect we have to go without Magic on Monday then the lads will all raise their game and go for the result for him."