BACK in October, Kyle Howarth played a key role in killing off the Swindon Robins’ 2014 campaign but the 20-year-old is aiming to have a very different impact after joining Alun Rossiter’s side for next season.

Howarth top-scored with a scorching 13+1 for the Coventry Bees as they beat the Robins 50-45 in the second leg of their Elite League play-off semi-final at the Abbey Stadium.

But the young Mancunian is set to be riding in the red, white and black of Swindon next season after agreeing to join the Robins for 2015.

Howarth was named in Blunsdon chief Rossiter’s first-ever Great Britain squad in February and told the Swindon Advertiser that the opportunity to link up with his international boss was too good to turn down.

“I did speak to Coventry about coming back a little bit but I’m good friends with Rosco and when he asked me if I fancied coming to Swindon, I thought ‘why not?’,” said Howarth, who will continue to turn out for the Workington Comets in the National League next season.

“Rosco spoke to Workington about it and asked their permission.

“The deal wasn’t done overnight but I enjoyed it when I rode for Swindon a few times a couple of years ago (he had an impressive spell with the Robins at the end of the 2013 campaign) and I was happy to go back there. You can never burn your bridges.

“It’s a bit crazy how sport works out sometimes, especially speedway, but I really enjoyed the track when I rode against Swindon in the play-offs.

“I know that it’s all about a team performance but I want to do my job in 2015, try to get Swindon into the play-offs and then help the team win them.”

Howarth, who racked up an average of 5.63 last term, is currently putting himself through his paces in Australia as he keeps himself ticking over for the 2015 season.

He added: “I usually try and come to Australia for the winter, just to keep riding and get myself ready for next season. I’ll be back home just after Christmas.”

Robins chief Rossiter was impressed by Howarth during his previous Robins stint and reckons he is an even better rider now.

“It is great news that Kyle wanted to come back. We’re really happy to have him involved again,” said Rossiter.

“I’m delighted because he’s a quality rider. He’s British, he’s exciting and although he’s still only 20, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough in my book.

“We know all about him having had him before so we know how good he can be. He did really well for us back then and was really strong at the end of last season too.

“He looks like he’s sharpened up his act a lot since then too. When he was here I thought he probably needed to take care of his bikes and equipment a bit better but whenever we saw him last season everything looked like it had been given a lot more attention.

“He’s just improved in every department and I’m pleased he is coming back in. I’m sure he will bring a lot to the team. He will complement what we have already and offer us something different as well.”

Howarth’s arrival follows last week’s announcement that Troy Batchelor is heading back to the Abbey Stadium for a second season as captain. Further names are expected to commit themselves to the Robins for 2015 imminently, with Rossiter close to sealing a deal with Australian Nick Morris.

Rossiter said: “I think we are not far away with Nick. We’ve had some good talks with him so hopefully we’ll be able to tie up something on that front quite soon.”

Robins asset Jason Doyle looks set to return to Leicester in 2015, although whether it will be a loan switch or full transfer remains unclear.