Gladiators will call on Kemp if Covatti misses out again

PLYMOUTH Gladiators boss Garry May says he has a Plan B to fall back on if number one Nico Covatti is still not ready to get back in the saddle for the club in the BSN Series clash with Poole Pirates tonight (7.30pm).

- STUART JAMES

The 35-year-old is yet to represent the club after suffering a nasty fall at the start of the year back in his Argentinian homeland which left him with a broken arm and leg. Covatti's first attempt at a comeback came in April, but he was clearly struggling and advised to give in another couple of weeks.

Yesterday, he was back on the bike and competed in the SGP qualifier in Absenberg, Germany, with May keeping everything crossed that his second coming was a success and he would be fit to go again at Poole tonight. But if he doesn't, then Drew Kemp is on standby for both tonight's meeting and Saturday's return fixture against the Pirates.

Speaking before that meeting, in which Covatti scored five points in his first four rides, but did not start his fifth and final race, May said: "I am keeping everything crossed that Nico comes through Absenburg and he'll be with me on Wednesday. That's my plan.