MATT Ford admits he is hopeful Pirates' Brazilian-born sensation Antonio Lindback will be riding in England next season, despite the man himself hinting he may not be.

The Rio Rocket has been a revelation for the Elite League champions since he burst onto the English scene with a stunning 21-point paid maximum on his Poole debut 15 months ago.

He has played a major role in helping Pirates complete back-to-back championship wins this year, rising from reserve to second string, and turned in a typically flamboyant display as the Wimborne Road outfit retained the league crown against Wolves on Monday night.

But during the title-winning celebrations at Poole Stadium after Monday's triumph, each rider was interviewed briefly in the bar and Lindback indicated he is likely to ride in one of Poland or England next year, not both.

With a Grand Prix series to add to his workload and a commitment to his Swedish team Masarna, the teenager will already have to endure a gruelling calendar next term.

And a long Elite League campaign could prove a bridge too far if the naturalised Swede wishes to broaden his track experience in Eastern Europe.

But Ford hopes the warmth with which he has been received in Poole will help keep him riding in England for 2005.

He said: "We are aware Anton is considering a contract in Poland for next year and of course, we are all aware that he has also qualified for the Grand Prix.

"At such a young age, it is going to be an awful lot to take on riding in three leagues, the Grand Prix series, a World Cup, under-21 championships and qualifying for the Grand Prix in 2006. It could total anything up to 120 meetings.

"Anton needs to take a rest at the end of the season and sit back to consider what is best for him.

"But I hope if Poole fans continue to make him feel so welcome, to turn his back on British speedway for one year would be hard."

Riding in Poland can prove a lucrative option with the chance to earn up to three times as much per meeting as you could in Britain, but the long, wide tracks are not considered as testing as the tighter, smaller English tracks.