RIAS Pirates supremo Matt Ford believes Poole will push their name up alongside the great speedway sides of all-time if they can seal a second consecutive Elite League title at Wimborne Road tonight.

Pirates face Wolves in the play-off final second leg (7.15pm), leading by a handy eight points after last Monday's 49-41 victory at Monmore.

If they can complete the job at Poole Stadium, they will become the first side since the Elite League was introduced in 1997 to take back-to-back titles and the first Pirates side to win successive championships since 1990.

And, having swept the board for domestic trophies since their Craven Shield success in 2002, Ford hopes their name will soon become mentioned in the same breath as the dominant teams of the past 50 years.

He said: "In the 1950's, it was West Ham and Wembley, in the 60's and 70's it was Belle Vue and the 80's and 90's had the likes of Coventry and Cradley.

"But in the dawn of the new millennium, we seem to have taken on the mantle as the leading club, just as everyone associates those great names with the past.

"We are aware that these things seem to run in cycles but our peak is now and we have been the forerunners of British speedway. We want to get the young generation coming down to the stadium and following Poole for years to come.

"In 1999 and 2001, we missed out on the title because of the rules more than anything but the pendulum seems to have swung in our favour now and it will mean everything to everyone involved with the club if we can lift the silverware again."

Although many pundits have already written off Wolves after the first leg reverse, the atmosphere around Wimborne Road this week has been one of cautious optimism rather than premature celebration.

Ford added: "Talk of the championship has been very much taboo in the last week or so. Last Monday was a great performance and we take a useful lead into tonight.

"But speedway, like any other sport, has a habit of jumping up and biting you on the rear. Fate can play a major role and I can assure you, no-one here has been counting any chickens."

Poole's only change from their line-up at Monmore will be the return of Ryan Sullivan, who proved he has recovered sufficiently from a hand injury with storming displays in both legs of the Knockout Cup semi-final triumph over Swindon last week.

Both Matej Ferjan and Krzysztof Kasprzak came through their weekend appearances in Hungary and Poland respectively and will take their places in a full-strength Pirates team.

Wolves continue, as they have done for much of the season, with rider replacement at number four for Daniel Nermark and Chris Neath retains his place at reserve as Simon Stead is still struggling with a shoulder injury.

Pirates: 1 Bjarne Pedersen, 2 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 3 Matej Ferjan, 4 Antonio Lindback, 5 Ryan Sullivan, 6 Daniel Davidsson, 7 Magnus Zetterstrom. Wolves: 1 Mikael Max, 2 Adam Skornicki, 3 David Howe, 4 Rider replacement for Daniel Nermark, 5 Sam Ermolenko, 6 Chris Neath, 7 Freddie Lindgren.