ALUN Rossiter admits Swindon Robins have one eye on the future after confirming both Adam Ellis and Zach Wajtknecht would be back in his septet in 2018.

The duo were part of the Swindon team that roared to the SGB Premiership title this year, although Wajtknecht missed the back end of the campaign after suffering a serious injury.

Rossiter holds the youngsters in high regard and tied them down as club assets last month, and stated that it was the logical step to sign them up for his final team next season.

The Robins team manager now hopes 21-year-old Ellis and Wajtknecht, who turns 20 early next year, can continue to make a name for themselves at the Abbey Stadium for years to come.

“This was always part of our thinking. We wouldn’t have signed someone we didn’t want to use in the team so I am really pleased that they are both coming back next year,” said Rossiter.

“People forget how young Adam is because he has been around for a while now and riding at a high level.

“He had a bit of a slow start for us last year but I always had faith in him. He came good towards the end of the year and was a vital part of the team.

“Adam is still only 21 and Zach is 19. They have both got bright futures ahead of them and hopefully that means a bright future for us as well.

“Hopefully they will come back in with extra confidence after what we achieved last year.”

Wajtknecht finished the 2017 campaign on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured spleen in a fall and was sorely missed by the Robins as Rossiter struggled to book a guest capable of matching his points haul down at reserve.

After a long winter of recovery, Rossiter hopes to see the Bristolian return to the Abbey Stadium at the same high level.

“Zach has had an injury hit couple of seasons. He’s hurt his fingers in the past and obviously had that really serious problem with his spleen but once he gets everything settled, if he came back to us in the form he had last year it would be fantastic,” said Rossiter.

“He was definitely missed. He was punching well above his weight with the points he was scoring.”

The confirmation of Ellis and Wajtknecht in Swindon’s 2018 team means Rossiter now has four of his seven riders in place, with Nick Morris and Tobiasz Musielak also returning from the title-winning squad.

Rossiter still has a few irons in the fire over the three remaining spots on his roster but does not think it will be long before he has a finalised team.

“We have still got a few deals to do so I am working hard. If I can button them off within the next week or so, we shouldn’t be far away from naming our side,” said Rossiter.

“It is just a case of wait and see right now and trying to find the best people available.

“We have the basis of a strong team already and it is all looking good, so I am pleased.”