Davey Watt has revealed his disappointment at losing his team place at Eastbourne for the second time in three years.

Now last season's Eagles rider of the year has warned his old club they face a tougher battle than they might expect when he returns to East Sussex with Poole today.

Watt rode through the after-effects of a head injury to add a couple of points to his average last season.

After talks with Bob Brimson, he believed it was a formality he would still be an Eastbourne rider this year.

Then Brimson left the club, the points limit changed and Eagles' new top men went down another team-building route.

New promoter Martin Hagon brought in Lee Richardson and Edward Kennett, both of whom he already sponsored, and there was no room for Watt.

Now the Aussie is back at his parent club Poole and ready to help them live up to expectations.

Watt, who is likely to get a good reception from Eagles fans, said: "I was disappointed to leave Eastbourne.

"It wasn't a great year team-wise but I had a pretty good season myself and I really enjoyed it. I got on well with a lot of people over there.

"It was quite upsetting to be told there was no place for me there, especially after the hard work I put in throughout the season.

"To be told my services were no longer required was quite frustrating.

"That doesn't mean to say I'm unhappy at Poole. It's my home town club and I'm very proud to race for the Pirates.

"Eastbourne did a good job against Swindon on Monday but we are more than confident around our own track.

"We are getting better and better on smaller tracks and we are quite confident we can go to Eastbourne and cause some trouble."

This year's Craven Shield is a short, sharp early-season affair and, weather permitting, Eagles will have raced their four Group C meetings by the time the fans are leaving Arlington tomorrow night.

The format is two points for a home win and three for an away win but top spot in the group, which also includes Swindon, could come down to points difference.

That means Poole's ability to adapt to 275-metre Arlington could be key to the qualification hopes of both teams.

Clearly Watt knows his way around Arlington and he was joined by team mates Bjarne Pedersen and Karol Zabik at one of the track's pre-season practice sessions.

Poole have also been to Reading and raced a challenge fixture at Lakeside recently.

Zabik is being tipped as one of the potential stars of the season, not least by Eagles captain Lee Richardson, but Poles do not tend to enjoy Eastbourne too much.

Watt said: "Personally speaking, Eastbourne is a track I am more than happy to ride.

"It's a good fun track and Bob Dugard prepares it extremely well. Some of our guys have limited experience there but I thought Karol did okay in practice.

"He will do even better having had more small-track experience. I think he is a rider who picks things up quickly."

If the weather is good, Eagles will hope for a crowd comfortably in excess of 1,500 for today's fixture.

The teams clash at Wimborne Road at 11am though fans should remember there will be no aggregate bonus point up for grabs.

Edward Kennett and Richardson know the Dorset circuit well as does Scott Nicholls, who has already ridden there this season with some success.

Nicholls came third in Poole's 60th anniversary meeting less than a fortnight ago, beating Pedersen, Zabik, Watt and Chris Holder on their home track.