CONTROVERSIAL Dane Hans Andersen returns to Poole for the first time tomorrow since the infamous last heat of the World Cup Final on August 7.

The 24-year old was accused by both Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch and his Ipswich team-mate Scott Nicholls of "helping" Peter Karlsson of Sweden in the final race.

A furious British boss Middleditch said shortly after the meeting: "For Hans to hold Scott on the inside around the first corner, look over his shoulder and then allow Karlsson to go past on the outside is an incident that will live with me forever.

"Andersen turned my World Cup fairy tale into a nightmare which I will never forgive him."

Now, over a month after that race, the Odense-born Dane returns to Dorset representing his British club Ipswich in the Elite League Riders' Champion-ship. He told the Daily Echo exclusively last night: "I will treat Sunday as just another meeting - where I will do my best and then go home.

"I haven't even thought about returning to Poole because I have an unbelievable racing schedule over the last seven days which started in last Saturday's Slovenian Grand Prix, Peterborough on Monday, Sweden on Tuesday, Denmark on Wednesday, Ipswich on Thursday, Oxford on Friday and then Eastbourne tonight."

Poole-contracted rider Ander-sen has his own take on the World Cup fracas.

He continued: "For some reason the public haven't been able to let go of what happened in the World Cup.

"The only unfortunate thing was I happened to be in heat 25. Everybody remembers that, but quickly forgets that in an earlier race Scott Nicholls had a guaranteed third place before pulling up because he thought he saw a red light.

"I have had little choice but to take the criticism on the chin, but have been staggered by the threats I have received.

"Even my sponsors have been targeted with threats, which I have found very disturbing."

He also admitted that he was genuinely injured after the World Cup following a crash in Sweden, which meant him missing Ipswich meetings at Eastbourne, Poole and Ipswich.

Andersen continued: "Where I broke and shattered my knuckles last year, the injury is still very vulnerable. Even now I can't move my fingers properly.

"I crashed in Sweden and hurt my hand again and my knuckles came up like a tennis ball.

"With the Grand Prix qualifying round on the horizon, I knew I had to try and get myself fit for that meeting - hence the reason I wasn't present in England for those meetings."

And he has no thoughts about quitting British speedway.

"Why would I?" he said. "I think any rider with ambitions of becoming World champion needs to be racing as much as possible and Britain gives you that opportunity."

Andersen also revealed to the Daily Echo that he was approached earlier in the season about returning to Poole in 2005 but turned down the Pirates.

"It has nothing whatsoever to do with Poole, the management, track or team mates.

"To be fair, Poole is possibly the best place in Britain to live. It's a lovely area.

"However, I now have a base in Peterborough with a great set up and workshop facilities which is much more central for me to travel and ride speedway.

"It enables me to be able to travel and be back home at a reasonable time to be able to eat and sleep properly. It also means I miss the one thing Ihate in Britain - the M25!"

The former Ipswich rider has had an incredible four weeks, starting with the last heat incident at Poole.

A week later he lost out in the Grand Prix qualifying final for 2005 after his bike failed while assured of second place.

He then won the Grand Prix final in Sweden and added another 'A' final performance in Slovenia last weekend. I have had an incredible month: All the nonsense at the World Cup Final, then elimination in the Grand Prix qualifier where I was home and hosed in the final before my bike stopped and then two 'A' finals in the Grand Prix including a win in Sweden.

"The whole month has taught me a great deal.

"I have always been pretty tough mentally and I have had to be to take the highs and lows over the past four weeks.

"The thing is I had a really great World Cup, I enjoyed the week very much.

"And I always like riding at Poole. After all, this was the place I started my British career so of course I have a soft spot for the place."

But Andersen knows how difficult Sunday's meeting will be. He said: "Without doubt the Elite League Riders' Championship is going to be an incredibly hard meeting.

"A final with the word Elite in it means just that. There will be no easy races.

"I will do my best, like any other meeting, and then pack my gear away and look forward to having a day off."

He is acutely aware that the Dorset public are waiting for his return.

"I accept I am going to get lot of boos and jeers when my name is introduced on Sunday. I am also human so I can't say it won't hurt.

"But if that's what the fans want to do, how can I stop that? I will go out and do a professional job.

"Ultimately, I would love to win the Elite Riders', but I accept it's going to be incredibly tough."