POOLE and Redcar go into another huge battle this week as they contest the MAXiCab Knockout Cup Final starting at Wimborne Road tonight (Wednesday).
The Pirates got the better of the Bears in the league play-off semi-finals, securing their progression to the Grand Final with a win on Teesside last Sunday.
They now look to build an advantage their bid to retain the Cup, before heading north-east for the return fixture in 48 hours.
Poole name a full-strength side with Richard Lawson expected back at No.1, whilst Redcar again bring in Jake Allen to guest for Erik Riss, and with Jody Scott still on a mandatory concussion stand-down, Freddy Hodder comes in at reserve.
Poole co-promoter Dan Ford said: “They remain a formidable set of opponents and we know that everything is rolled back to zero and we have to go again.
“Whilst we did exceptionally well to avoid dipping into our six point lead from the first leg (in the play-offs) we would have liked to have had a better advantage in the first place, so on Wednesday night the aim will be to achieve that and put ourselves in a strong position to retain the Cup.
“I am not going to put any specific targets on our lads, they are professional and committed enough to know what is expected of them, and with our fans really behind us on Wednesday it would be good to put on another great showing.”
Redcar boss Gavin Parr said: “We had Monday to think about what happened on Sunday, but we now have to switch back on to the job in hand.
“The Cup is now the focus, so we need to dust ourselves down and bounce back against Poole tonight.
“We are going to Poole to win, or at least keep it close, which will set things up perfectly for the second leg at the ECCO Arena on Friday.”
POOLE: Richard Lawson, Tobias Thomsen, Lewis Kerr, Zach Cook, Anders Rowe, Paul Starke, Will Cairns.
REDCAR: Charles Wright, Jake Mulford, Jason Edwards, Jake Allen, Danny King, Freddy Hodder, Ace Pijper.
SCB Referee: Simon Humphrey-Kennett
*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk