TEAM Great Britain boss Alun Rossiter is taking little for granted at tonight’s Speedway of Nations race-off in Manchester as the host nation eye a spot at the final in Wroclaw, Poland, this weekend.

Rossiter will lead Great Britain into battle against Czech Republic, Finland, France, Sweden, Italy and Australia with three places available at this weekend’s final.

The top three will join Poland, Germany, Denmark and Russia in the two-legged final, but Rossiter – who also manages the Swindon Robins - is fully aware of the challenge that will presented to his men under the new format.

Two-time world champion Tai Woffinden leads Great Britain’s charge with British champion Craig Cook and British U21 champion Robert Lambert.

But with the World Championship prize now run as a pairs event, Rossiter admits some of the sport’s smaller nations are more likely to spring a surprise or two.

He said: “I’m not getting carried away, we’ve got a good side and I accept that.

“But these other nations that are in the competition this year are used to these big open tracks.

“The same happened when we competed at the World Games last year in Wroclaw.

“Teams like Germany were competing in that, and it will be the same at the Speedway of Nations.

“David Bellego, who is racing for France, goes well around Belle Vue and if he pops out of the start he’ll be hard to pass.

“While I’m confident we’ve got a good team, I know it won’t be easy.”

While world champion Woffinden proved an easy choice for Rossiter after he made himself available, the Swindon Robins team chief faced a national selection headache with only two more riders allowed to represent GB.

The 52-year-old opted for Cook and Lambert, meaning there was no spot for teenage sensation Dan Bewley or for the familiar faces of Chris Harris, Danny King and Scott Nicholls – all of whom have won British Championships.

“I was very tempted by Dan Bewley,” said Rossiter.

“But I think we’ve picked the right team and hopefully that will be shown.

“It’s a tough format, but that’s life. I’ve got confidence in the boys I’ve picked.

“We’ve got some new faces in there.

“Before it was always Chris Harris, Danny King, Scott Nicholls – but now we’ve got Robert Lambert doing exceptionally well on the continent and Craig is in the Grand Prix series.

“He’s having a tough time in the GPs at the moment, but hopefully we can help to resolve those issues.”