SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter has poured cold water on rumours that his former captain Chris Harris could be set for a switch to Blunsdon next season.

The two know each other well after Harris was a key part of Rossiter’s Coventry side which stormed to the Elite League title in 2010, while the Robins boss was also in Bomber’s corner in what was a difficult campaign in the Grand Prix series.

Rossiter, along with co-promoter Gary Patchett, is in the process of stepping up preparations for the defence of the Robins’ Elite League title next season, but believes the link with Harris is simply the result of guess-work.

“I think the fact that I have been helping Chris out in the Grand Prix may have made people make the link, but it is not something I am aware of,” the Robins boss said.

“I think maybe he could benefit from having a season away, but it is purely speculation and I have had no conversation with Chris about it.

“But you never say never, of course you don’t, but at this stage there has been no conversation about it.

“The talk has only started because of my involvement with him, during what was a tough year for him.”

Although he has had no discussions about bringing the former British Champion to Blunsdon, Rossiter does believe Harris could benefit from a year away from the Bees after a tough 2012 which saw him lose his spot in the Grand Prix.

“He needs to find a direction in the winter and rebuild and start again,” he said.

“He needs to get his hunger back, and he went to Belle Vue before and with respect that was not one of his better moves.

“A new challenge is probably something which could do him good, and he may have gone a tad stale at Coventry.

“The same was true when I released Rory Schlein from Coventry, and he has bounced back really well.

“Chris is obviously a great rider with a lot of heart, but maybe he just needs to find a bit of direction to get him going again.”