PETERBOROUGH could hand a top-flight debut to teenage star Taylor Poole.

PETERBOROUGH could hand a top-flight debut to teenage star Taylor Poole.

The 18-year-old Australian, who made his debut in the Premier League Riders’ Final last weekend, is in line for a shock call-up for the Readypower Panthers’ Knock Out Cup semi final.

French racer Mathieu Tresarrieu is a major doubt because of a groin strain and Poland’s Norbert Kosciuch could also miss the first leg of the tie against title favourites Poole at the East of England Showground on Thursday, October 7.

If both are missing then Peterborough would have to bring in number eight Craig Cook (if available) and a PL rider averaging less than six points a match.

Poole now fits that bill as his new Green Sheet Average, which becomes operative on October 1, is actually 5.99.

Panthers’ team boss Trevor Swales said: “Until now Taylor has never been eligible to ride for us but it could be a good opportunity to take a look at him.

“He’s a club asset and we’ve already had a chance to see his fellow Aussie Dakota North racing for us and he certainly hasn’t let us down, scoring in the three meetings he rode in.

“Taylor has had a phenomenal first season in the Premier League at Stoke, was their number one for most of the year and did well in the PLRC at Sheffield last Sunday when he got half a dozen points against the top riders in the league.

“We’ve not made a final decision but if we need to bring in a six point average man from the Premier League he will definitely be high on the list of possibilities.”

Poole said: “It would be cool to get a chance with the Panthers.”