Martin Dugard today revealed his fears over the pressures facing Eastbourne Eagles' latest young hope.

But Lewis Bridger, the 16-year-old placed under the guidance of an Arlington legend, insisted: "There's no pressure. I'm loving it."

Dugard, the Master of Arlington, is passing on the sort of expertise which once saw him go more than 40 races unbeaten at the track.

He will be in the pits tonight, easing Bridger through the second leg of an Elite League double-header with Poole Pirates (7.30pm) following the away match this morning (11am).

Bridger, the youngest ever rider in the Elite League and a future world champion according to his old boss at lower-league Weymouth, picked up handy points in last week's thriller with Wolverhampton, when Dugard was at his side for the first time.

He impressed again in the midweek win at Oxford.

But Dugard reckons his young successor could have been given more help sooner as he steps up two divisions.

He said: "I would have struggled had I been thrown straight in at the deep end.

"I'm not sure if it would have made me or destroyed me.

"That is what could happen to Lewis. It could destroy his career.

"But he is definitely talented. As long as he is thinking positive, people around him will help.

"Lewis has been getting all the hype whether or not he wanted it.

"It puts him under a lot of pressure, like Edward Kennett when he was at Eastbourne.

"People have said he is a potential world champion but he hasn't ridden against these guys before in his life. He will find it harder."

Dugard is concerned Bridger's EL inexperience is matched by that of his crew.

He said: "Lewis is pretty level-headed but the people around him are new to the sport as well.

"They are frightened of making changes for him in case it goes wrong.

"I've been watching him for a couple of weeks and thinking someone will help him soon. Then Jon asked me to do it.

"I had a look at his set-up. The bikes he has got are good but he needs to set them up for the way he rides.

"He has picked up a lot of habits from racing in youth races after senior meetings, when the tracks are very slick.

"But during meetings the tracks are a lot more grippy.

"The moment he drops the clutch the bike lifts or he doesn't get any drive.

"He gives the other guys a metre-and-a-half or two metres every time. You can't afford to do that in this league.

"You can do it at Conference level, then pass everybody and feel great.

"He understands. He accepts information I give him. Whether or not he choses to use it is another thing."

One of the changes Dugard suggested equated to dropping from fourth gear to third in a car when you need more acceleration and control.

"Lewis was going on a certain gear ratio because everybody else used it. But we went one tooth bigger.

"He had a couple of good rides, then when the shale came off the track we went back to the original set-up.

"He was on 5-1s in his last couple of rides but people have to remember he was getting tired after six hard rides.

"You learn more by looking around. When you ride you get engulfed in your own stuff but there are simple things you can look at, like the height of the handlebars from wheel to floor.

"People like Jason Crump and Tony Rickardsson wouldn't have bikes set up low if it didn't work."

Bridger led Rickardsson for three laps on Wednesday and said: "I'm starting to relax and settle into it a bit more.

"No one expects me to get any points so there's no pressure.

"I'm picking up points here and there. I'm making good gates which is thanks to Martin and also Nicki Pedersen, who helped me out in the pits."

Bridger and his new reserve sidekick Andy Appleton will be up against the Davidsson brothers, Jonas and Daniel, as Eagles face multi-national Poole.

It looks like being a tough day for Eagles, who were beaten home and away in the Good Friday double header last year.

Cook said: "Our goal is to win both meetings but a realistic goal is to get the bonus point. We got a lot of good out of the win at Oxford."