PANTHERS co-boss Jan Staechmann admits the prospect of working with Danish hotshot Michael Jepsen Jensen on a regular basis is one which excites him.

PANTHERS co-boss Jan Staechmann admits the prospect of working with Danish hotshot Michael Jepsen Jensen on a regular basis is one which excites him.

Staechmann has already been closely involved with Jensen in his home country and sees the 19-year-old as a potential trump card in the 2012 line-up.

Jensen made his Readypower Panthers debut at Coventry on August Bank Holiday Monday last year and immediately showed glimpses of his star quality, including highly encouraging first visits to Swindon and King’s Lynn with scores of nine and seven respectively.

Staechmann said: “Michael needs no introduction to the fans after his spell there last season, but having him starting the campaign at reserve is something I really like about the team.

“It’s good that he starts the season at reserve as that will help ease him into things. We’ve seen him come on well in Poland over the past couple of years and in England last year.

“I’ve worked with him a lot with Denmark so I know the potential is there and he is now starting to realise that himself.

“I like him. He’s a very safe rider and doesn’t do anything on the track that he hasn’t thought through, and he’s extremely fast.”

Staechmann knows that if Jensen continues to progress at his current rate, he is unlikely to be in the reserve berth throughout the campaign – but the team is structured such that they should have strength in what is often a vital position, whoever drops down.

He added: “We should always have a strong reserve and that is going to be very important. We should have a team on an equal wavelength as that what will generate a good team spirit, which is also going to be important.

“If the team spirit is good then there is no telling what you can achieve. The riders like the Showground and it is important we again make it a fortress – and of course also pick up some points on our travels.”