DARRYL Ritchings is set to make his comeback in Robins colours tonight for the first time since his horrific accident against Coventry Bees in April last year.

The crash, that required the Purton rider to be put in a medically induced coma, came in just Ritchings' second meeting as an Elite League rider.

Tonight’s meeting with Poole will be just the 20-year-old’s fourth in Speedway’s top tier, after his guest appearance for the Bees earlier this season.

It's not just the competition but the return to Robins kevlars that most excites Ritchings, who is rebuilding his career in the National League with Coventry Storm.

He was offered the chance to guest for Swindon earlier in the season, but turned it down as he did not feel ready. Now, with a few months of racing under his belt, Ritchings is itching to return for his home town club.

“I’m looking forward to it and it will be good riding for Swindon again,” he said. “To come back, even just as a guest, I’m very excited.

“I did a guest booking earlier in the year for Coventry (in the Elite League), but my heart’s in Swindon, I’ve lived here all my life and all I’ve ever known is Swindon Speedway.

“Rosco rang me about 11am yesterday morning and it took about half an hour to work a few things out and within half an hour I rang him back to say ‘I’ll be there’.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I’ve just raced National League this year and I’m not going in there expecting to score 10s or anything like that. I just want to have fun and enjoy racing.

“I’ve never raced at Poole. The last time I went there was six years ago and that was just to practice after a meeting on my own, so I’m not familiar with the track at all.

“From what I can remember it was a very enjoyable track to ride, so I jumped at the chance to race on it.”

It was to be expected Ritchings would take time to rediscover his form, having missed virtually all of last season as well as undertaking the physical recovery required after the crash.

It should not be forgotten that prior to joining the Robins, Ritchings was rider of the year for National League side Wightlink Islanders.

With that in mind the Robins asset is looking up the leagues and at a potential return to the Abbey in down the line.

“Since the start of the season I’ve put three points on my average, I want to put a few more on that,” added Ritchings.

“It’s going to be tough, but I want to be in the Premier Division at the start of the next season and hopefully I’ll be back at Swindon full-time in the future."