NEIL Middleditch delivered a lengthy pep talk to Kyle Newman after the "mortified" rider underwent a baptism of fire in the top three.

Elite League rules meant Newman was hoisted up the order for the visit of Belle Vue as a result of his stellar early-season performances at reserve.

The 24-year-old was competing in his first top-flight meeting in a month having just returned from a groin problem.

And Newman found matters at Wimborne Road tough going as he totalled two paid three from his four programmed rides.

Team boss Middleditch stepped in to lift the spirits of the doubling-up ace, a key cog in the title-winning Pirates side of 2015.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "I had a long chat with Kyle and tried to pick him up.

"I told him not to get on at himself because he was racing against current and former Grand Prix riders in every single race.

"The whole reserve to heat leader business sticks in my craw. You could potentially say that cost us the meeting and that is no disrespect to Kyle.

"It was a bridge too far for him to be racing in that position. He was absolutely mortified with his form.

"I know if he had made the starts, he potentially would have had the speed to beat those boys but they are just so good. The difference between heat leader and reserve is a vast gap."

Newman, who scored paid three in a tough debut for Polish second-tier side Pila on Sunday, admitted his return to Elite League action had been a major challenge.

He told his personal website: “The number three position is a very hard role. I’m not making excuses, it’s where I want to end up.

"I want to be able to hold my own at heat leader in the Elite League but it has to come one step at a time – not one giant step."