POOLE PIRATES' dreams of a third successive top-flight double have been dealt a major blow when Krzysztof Kasprzak was ruled out of their Knockout Cup first round visit to Swindon.

Poole RIAS, who beat Ipswich 99-87 on aggregate in last year's final, must travel to Blunsdon on Thursday without the Pole, who has to ride in a Polish semi-final of the World Under-21 Championship at Opole in his homeland on the same night.

Fortunately, the Leszno-born rider - who has been arguably Pirates' top star so far this season - is able to line-up for the Dorset club against Swindon at home on Wednesday.

But Poole will have to use rider replacement for him at Swindon the following night, which will probably weaken their cause.

Kasprzak, who must ride at Opole under international rules, is stuck in a Catch-22 situation.

He said: "It goes without saying that I would like to ride at Swindon along with all the other Poole boys. But I can't be in two places at once.

"I have to ride in the qualifier at Opole because there is no chance of me getting seeded straight into the Polish final.

"I've got to ride there so that I can try to qualify for the Polish final and then, hopefully, advance all the way to the World final.

"It is my last year in the World Under-21 Championship, so it is my last chance to try and win it.

"I would like to be at Swindon with the Pirates but I am riding in the first leg at Poole on Wednesday and I will do my best in that meeting.

"There is nothing I can do to change the situation because of the rules."

Pirates chief Matt Ford confirmed they would only be able to use rider replacement, not a guest, at Swindon for Kasprzak, who is one of the favourites to lift the World Under-21 crown.

Ford said: "Our two reserves, Ray Morton and Toni Svab, will stand in for Krzys and Matej Ferjan will get an extra ride as well.

"It is unfortunate for us, but it is just one of those things. It is probably going to be one of the only meetings Krzys will miss for us all year.

"It is a trophy we won't want to give up without a fight after winning it for the past two years and we will do our best without him at Swindon.

"We must try and take a substantial lead into the second leg. And if the boys can produce the form that they did against Belle Vue then I can't see any reason why we can't do that.

"Let's just hope everyone can pull together and that our fans get fully behind us like they did last week against the Aces at home."

Kasprzak has impressed at Swindon in his last two meetings there for Poole.

He got nine paid ten from five rides in the Knockout Cup semi-final, second leg, in October when Pirates lost 53-40, but won 101-83 on aggregate.

Then he amassed eight paid nine from five in Poole's 53-41 defeat at Blunsdon in March in an Air Tek Challenge match.

Svab, Pirates number nine, will make his first appearance for the Dorset club at Swindon because neither Ricky Ashworth nor Edward Kennett are available.

Poole, who lifted the cup in 2003 when they beat Coventry 90-88 in the final, will meet the Bees in a quarter-final clash if they can overcome the Robins.

l Pirates' home league match against Ipswich has been put back from May 4 until Wednesday, June 29 so that the Dorset club don't have to stage two matches in three days.

The change has been made after it was confirmed Poole would host Swindon in the league on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, at 7.30pm, screened live by Sky Sports.