EASTBOURNE chief Bob Dugard admits he is already planning how to keep his side in the Elite League title race.

Eagles are second in the table after a five-point haul off Poole on Good Friday.

They face a trip to Ipswich on Thursday before back-to-back fixtures with leaders Lakeside away on Friday and at Arlington on Saturday.

Reserve Simon Gustafsson has been at the heart of Eagles’ best results but he will probably move into the main body of the team next month.

Dugard is also wary the Swedish teenager could be called away for international events, with no scope for an equivalent stand-in under his current average.

The Eagles promoter said: “Simon’s average should take him into the middle of May and I’m sure he will have no problems in the main body of the team when he moves up.

“My worry is that if we lose him to another meeting before then we will have to use our No. 8 to replace him.

“I’m writing to the management committee asking them to review that.

“It seems a strange regulation when you have an international rider going at No. 7 and riding well above his official average, as Simon is.”

Gustafsson is starting the season on 4.28 and his new average to reflect his performances this season will come into play after 12 league meetings, at least of which five must be at home.

He will then, almost certainly, move into the top five and Eagles will be able to replace him with a guest of a similar average when he is called away for events like international under-21 meetings.

Dugard was delighted with the 51-44 Good Friday win over Poole which was secured in heavy rain after 660kg of sawdust was worked into the track.

He said: “The fans seemed to appreciate out efforts but I was astounded when Poole requested a track inspection.

“I’m still a bit disappointed about the crowd, which was 1,051, but I’m sure half our fans never even thought we would race in that weather.

“I think we’re showing we’re a side who can be in the shake-up at the end of the season.”

Standings: Lakeside (5 meetings) 11, Eagles (4) 8, Swindon (3) 7, Coventry (3) 6, Poole (3) 3, Wolves (2) 3, Peterborough (3) 3, Belle Vue (3) 2, Ipswich (4) 2.