IPSWICH Evening Star Witches have been warned that they may have to dip into their pockets if they want to have Grand Prix speedway rider Antonio Lindback in their side.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches have been warned that they may have to dip into their pockets if they want to have Grand Prix speedway rider Antonio Lindback in their side.

The 22-year-old's parent club Poole Pirates are happy for him to ride for another Elite League side - but only for a price. The Dorset side are loath to loan him out.

Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “I can confirm that three clubs have spoken to us about Anton's availability, and we won't stand in anyone's way.

“But, of course, we were informed last August that Anton wouldn't be riding in British speedway in 2007, so the club went in a different direction and we signed Jason Crump on a full transfer.

“Having purchased Craig Watson from Newport and Piotr Swist from Lakeside this season we would be loath to just loan our riders out.

“While not saying we won't, negotiations will have to take place between us and the clubs concerned to make sure that Poole have been fairly treated.

“All promoters interested in Anton will have to talk to me to see what the club stance is.”

Ford has revealed that Lindback has turned down a move to Oxford.

Ford said: “Oxford have told me they were unable to agree terms.

“Clubs need to speak to me about Anton, just as Ipswich have done.

“I've spoke to Ipswich, Oxford and Belle Vue and they are all aware of the situation about us being not keen to loan out our riders. We would rather sell them.”

Lindback is no longer a regular for his Polish League club Czestochowa and the Brazilian born rider could be looking to ride in Britain again.

There is already speculation that Oxford have been on the phone to Pirates wanting to take the Grand Prix star on loan. And Belle Vue are also reported to be interested, with Ford adding: “If Anton comes back to Britain to ride we need to be treated like every other club.

“There seems to be a precedent that as and when we need a rider, the rider is always only for sale.

“But we have Mark Lemon, Magnus Zetterstrom, Gary Havelock, Jason Bunyan, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Chris Holder and Tomas Suchanek all out on loan at the moment, so we feel people should acknowledge that.

“We aren't going to make a big issue out of it, but that is the way it is.”