Shockster

CONCERNED Pirates chief Matt Ford fears Hans Andersen's season may be over. The Danish star withdrew from last night's meeting at Leicester – in which Poole suffered a 52-38 defeat – following a collision with Pirates guest Max Fricke. Andersen was kept in hospital in Leicester overnight before returning to Denmark this morning and Ford reported that the former Grand Prix charger had sustained a broken finger and a head injury. Ford confirmed it was too late for Pirates to make permanent team changes, with Krzysztof Kasprzak enlisted to guest for Thursday's home fixture against Belle Vue. The promoter told the Daily Echo: "I only know Hans has a broken finger on his left hand. We are waiting for a proper diagnosis because he also hit his head quite badly. "The loss of Hans, which we believe will probably be his season end, is a major loss. "There's never a good time for these things but of course when we can't bring anyone else in at this point, it does make life very difficult." Ford is hopeful Chris Holder will be fit for the clash with Belle Vue after the Aussie ace pulled out of yesterday's trip to Leicester due to toothache and a migraine. Earlier in the day, the Sydneysider had bagged a 10 paid 11 haul in the 49-41 loss to the Aces at the National Speedway Stadium. Ford added: "I'm hoping Chris will be fit to return but we will have to take that as it comes over the next day or two. "I'm hoping he has managed to arrange something to get the problem solved."

OK then, let's put it another way. Assuming Belle Vue finish top (I'll be amazed if they don't) if you were in their position who would you pick? As I have stated previously I would go Swindon.

It seemed a pretty close match at BV yesterday and no doubt Poole have stronger depth than Swindon. Doyle & Tungate going well for Swindon but not a lot else, unless Morris or Grajczonek suddenly hit form.

Looks certain to me now that Belle Vue will finish top of the League. Can't imagine they will choose either Wolves or Poole and I believe Swindon will finish 4th. So I'll take BV to beat Swindon and Wolves to beat Poole in the Semis Final could go anyway but Wolves would be my pick right now. A lot can happen before the final though and injuries could have a say.

Rohan Tungate guesting for injured Peter Karlsson for Wolves tonight. Strong Wolves side if Tungate rides like he did at Swindon on Monday.

I think this has also got to do with Elit Vetlanda missing the Swedish Play Offs. It means Tai can swap England for Sweden and so his routine is not massively compromised and not jetting off every day. I doubt he would have come if Vetlanda were still in with a chance in Sweden and it's their last match next week I believe.

I don't blame Wolves or Tai as the rules allow it. It does make a mockery of the sport though to some extent. However, if the BSPA allow it then who can argue? I have to say though it needs looking at for future seasons. I make Wolves Favourites for the league now.

I've had a little bet on the Russians. Very strong top 3.

I'm booked into Upper Brook St. Travelodge about a mile from centre of Manchester and about a mile from the track and it has a car park. About £50 a night for the room.

To be honest, I didn't realise that. It does make a difference. I suppose we'll need to see how they're all going at WTC time. Woffy & Cook look automatic and King looked good but WTC Final is a huge step up from the British Final. Let's hope Rossiter has a full squad to pick from.

My tickets arrived yesterday. So after last nights British Final who would you pick for Britain? My team would be: Woffinden Cook King Nicholls Lambert U21 rider Steve Worrall could still push for a place but NO Harris for me.

Just hoping Wolves reserves both get decent points to build a bit of confidence. Surely a decent sized home win.

The draw is now on Speedwaygp website http://www.speedwaygp.com/draw/113

I'd like to see GB put up a great show in the race off and qualify, but realistically it's not going to happen. Poles obviously are the most likely winners but if the Laguta brothers are on song and a bit of back up, then who knows. With Sayfutdinov back for the final 50/1 with the bookies is a massive price for Russia. I actually think that Poland or Russia will win the final.

Can somebody please explain the 8 day rule re guests. King and Batchelor tonight and last night for Poole??? Thanks in advance.

The heats are being shown live on sky sports news according to their Twitter feed.

Poole Harbour Webcam. http://www.pooleharbourweather.com/webcam.aspx

It's the line ups on the Poole Website.

We all understand about guests, but it is sort of crazy that Chris Harris and Jason Garritty are riding for Kings Lynn. They could be helping them to qualify and then get beat by them next week? Just feels strange. Also if Lynn are knocked out then Harris and especially Garritty get a decent practice in time for next week. Definitely seems strange if you look at it as an outsider.

Tonights teams, not in Riding order. Poole: Troy Batchelor (Guest), Maciej Janowski (Capt),Edward Kennett (Guest), Vaclav Milik, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Benji Compton, Kyle Newman Team Manager Neil Middleditch King's Lynn: Kenneth Bjerre, Chris Harris (Guest), Robert Lambert, Niklas Porsing, Rory Schlein (Capt), Jason Garritty (Guest), Simon Lambert Team Manager Rob Lyon Troy Batchelor, Magic Janowski, Eddie Kennet, Vaclav Milik, Prem Pawlicki, Ben Compton, Kyle Newman. K.Lynn: K. Bjerre, Chris Harris, Rob Lambert, Nic Porsing, R.Schlein, Jason Garrity, Simon Lambert.

Tactical Double points will be the difference in the final result. If Coventry make use they'll go through. Cock them up and they'll lose the semi. Garrity/Worrall is another key battle.

Well done Hampel. Haha. What a meeting in Stockholm.

I can't disagree about Hampel being poor the 2nd half of this season, but enough riders have been given wildcards with nothing like his record. If he's poor again next season, then that's it of course. There's an argument of course not to put any of the riders from 9th in as 7th and 8th will have got in by luck anyway. If Iversen and Ward had not had their Injuries/Issues then 7th/8th would have needed wildcards. I know it's if and buts but 2 are already in by the back door IMO.

If Politics had nothing to do with the wild cards, my 4 would be Niels Kristian Iversen, Emil Sayfutdinov, Grigory Laguta and Martin Vaculik. However, not likely to happen so I would go with NKI, Martin Vaculik, Jarek Hampel and Peter Kildemand. I definitely think they should announce it before the last GP and the riders below 8th would know what they have to do, unless of course they intend to wildcard them.

I'm going for home win for Swindon, but can't see them getting all 3 points. Should be a good close match.