New rider set for Wolves slot

They have three targets in mind from which to fill the final slot – and hope to do a deal within the next 10 days.

The new man can have an average of up to 4.38 points under the sport's team building ceiling and would slot in at reserve.

The extra top end strength generated by Freddie Lindgren's return for a sixth successive full season gives the club scope to take a chance on a relatively untried figure, reckons team manager Peter Adams.

He said: "We favour somebody that perhaps the league hasn't seen before. Particularly now that Freddie has completed the top end of the team, we are in a position to take a bit of a punt on that last reserve position.

"We've got three targets. They have all got their respective merits. One of them could be finalised within the next seven to 10 days.".

Wolves have revitalised what was an asset base of aging riders with the high-profile signings of Tai Woffinden and Nicolai Klindt – both named in the 2009 side – as well as likely candidates for the future such as Joe Haines.

The indications are that the new man could be in a similar mould.

Adams said: "It's a bit pointless looking for somebody with a lot of experience – the top end of the team has determined that there isn't room. We are always interested in building up our asset base.

"We have already got the largest retained list of riders in the country."

Teams are allowed to strengthen in mid-season but the surgery to the struggling 2008 side came late, in part because of the time lag that applied to updating rider averages.

The sport's promoters have agreed that this year's figures will come into effect more quickly.

Adams added: "The limit rises to 42 points after 12 matches. If what we are looking to do doesn't work, we'll have scope to do something far more significant than last year."