PLYMOUTH Devils boss Mike Bowden has secured what appears to be his starting seven for next season.

Bowden has decided to offer a contract to last year's comeback kid, James Cockle.

Cockle was released by Devils mid-way through last season – Plymouth's first in the Premier League.

But he was recalled because of a mounting injury crisis among the Plymouth riders and returned in triumph.

Cockle, who had been struggling to adjust to Premier League opposition, won the rider of the match award on his first home meeting back in Plymouth.

Bowden's decision to sign Cockle means that fans' favourite Gino Franchetti will probably not be re-signed by the club.

Cockle will join Danish rider Nicki Glanz, who is returning to the Devils after a period away from the Plymouth club, as one of next season's reserves.

That means Devils' seven starters for their second season in the Premier League is shaping up to be captain Ben Barker, former Sheffield Tigers skipper Ricky Ashworth, Glanz, Steve Boxall and American Brent Werner.

Bowden said he had been concerned about a recurring injury to Barker.

The Cornwall-born Great Britain star has been in hospital because of a leg infection and there was some worry he might not be ready for the start of next season.

But Bowden said: "It's a bit of a concern, but I have been assured by his mechanic and agent that he will be fine."

The Devils chairman and promoter said he was pleased Cockle had decided to rejoin the club – and revealed he had not entirely shut the door on a return by rising Italian star Franchetti, who was also riding reserve last season.

Bowden said: "James is a good boy and did well for us last season and I'm glad to have him back.

"It's a shame about Gino, who also did very well for us, but there may be an opportunity for him if somebody else drops out."

Bowden has snapped up his preferred seven as quickly as possible to prevent a repetition of last season, where they missed out on potential targets.

The major reason was that Devils were not sure until shortly before the season began whether they would be accepted into the Premier League.

The result was that available riders were signed by other clubs, while Plymouth were forced to dither.

Although their application to the Premier was eventually accepted, Devils missed out on riders who would have helped them do better than one off the bottom last season.

However, when Plymouth did manage to borrow or sign top-class Premier riders, they put together a nine-match unbeaten home run which kept them off the bottom of the league, a position taken by new club Leicester.