SWINDON skipper Hans Andersen has insisted the Robins need to do what is best for them when they host play-off chasing Lakeside in their final Elite League meeting a week today.

The champions secured their spot in the play-offs with a 50-43 victory over Poole at Blunsdon on Thursday night, but there is still a battle for fourth place as the Pirates and the Hammers do battle for the one remaining spot.

The two teams meet tonight in a vital meeting at Wimborne Road which will have a major say in the final standings, but if Lakeside are able to take any points from their visit to Wiltshire next week they are likely to seal their spot regardless of the outcome.

Andersen believes the meeting is the perfect chance for the Robins riders to test their equipment ahead of their play-off challenge, and also hinted his side may consider their options ahead of the final meeting depending on who they would rather face in the post season.

“We wouldn’t be in the position we are in now if we had been bad all season, and obviously there have been various things which have been going on which people know about,” he said.

“We’ve had some injuries, but now we have a full side everyone wants to go out there and do their best which we showed on the track against Poole.

“I think now we have a part to play in the final meeting about who we want to see in the play-offs, and if things go the way they might go we could decide who gets fourth place or not whether we win or lose the final meeting.

“If it suited our team we have to do what’s best for us, we don’t think about other teams, so if it suits us better we have to do what we have to do to retain our title.

“Now our play-off spot is assured I will say to the team if they have engines or anything they need to test out that this is the best time to do it because we can make sure it’s all right for the play-offs.

“There’s no better test to do things like that than in a proper meeting, and it’s good to have that chance maybe against Lakeside.”

After the Robins’ clash with Lakeside a week today the Elite League is set to take a break for two weeks before the start of the play-offs, but Andersen would much prefer to stay busy.

“On our performance against Poole I don’t think anyone wants to rest and we just want to carry on,” he said.

“Some of us still do a little bit of riding abroad and individuals and things like that, and while Kyle (Howarth) and Ashley (Birks) do the Premier League it’s probably only Edward Kennett who needs to practice during the week.

“It’s nice to have a break now but it would also be good to carry on, and including the European Championship I probably have eight to 10 meetings left this season.”