PLYMOUTH Devils chairman Mike Bowden is confident Paul Starke possesses the qualities to prove a successful heat leader next year.

Bowden, who has confirmed his rider line-up for 2010, will utilise Starke in the number five spot vacated by the now departed Kyle Hughes.

And the Devils chief has no qualms that the 19-year-old, who rode at number two this season, won't be able to cope with the step-up.

"Paul is a fine rider and one who appears to be improving all the time," said Bowden.

"He had a great season this year and it is just natural progression for him to go into a heat leader spot.

"I am sure he will continue to improve and I am confident he will flourish in a role which will bring with it some extra responsibility."

Next season will see the Devils line up in the National League with Mark Simmonds and new signing Lee Smethills at numbers one and two, respectively.

At three will be skipper Seemond Stephens, with another new man, former Weymouth rider Matt Wright, at four.

Filling the two reserve positions will be the returning Jaimie Pickard and new recruit Daniel Berwick, who rode for the Isle of Wight this year.

Ben Reade will be Plymouth's number eight and will fill in for either Pickard or Berwick if they are ever unavailable.

Missing out are Matt Bates and David Gough – the pair did a good job for the city side last year – but Bowden was unable to use them 2010 due to a 42.50 points team restriction on averages.

"It was a tough decision to let both David and Matt go for next year," said Bowden.

"Both of them did well for us this season, and it would have been great to have found room for them in next year's team.

"But, I had to make a decision, and I believe Matt Wright is a better all-round rider than Matt Bates and a better option for the team.

"Losing David is tough because he has a lot of potential, but we simply couldn't fit him into the team because of the points limit.

"However, we have brought in a good young rider in Daniel Berwick who, I am sure, will do very well for us."

Bowden added of his side and their push for honours next year: "I firmly believe that the side for next year is more balanced than the one we had this season.

"We have a great top five, arguably one of the best in the league, and two reserves, who have the ability to get better and better.

"I think we will be stronger in 2010 than we were this year."