ALUN Rossiter can pour himself a festive tipple confident in the belief that he has put together a Swindon Robins line-up to be reckoned with for the 2016 season.

Preparations for the new campaign will start in earnest after Christmas and new year but the serious business of putting together a competitive Blunsdon outfit for the next Elite League season has already been concluded.

Swindon wrapped up their team-building exercise quickly, with 2014 favourite Dakota North being confirmed as the final piece of the jigsaw to join a Australian-heavy septet earlier this month.

With fellow Antipodean Nick Morris and reserve Charles Wright returning to duty for next summer, Rossiter added Aussies Josh Grajczonek and Justin Sedgmen, plus British youngster Stefan Nielsen to the roster, with Australian Grand Prix ace Jason Doyle leading from the number one position.

It has meant no return for 2015 Adver Rider of the Year award winner Grzegorz Zengota, with former skipper Troy Batchelor and Aaron Summers also among those seeking British speedway employment elsewhere.

Despite those losses - and admitting a return for Batchelor was heavily considered - Rossiter believes he has actually emerged with a more balanced line-up for 2016.

“It’s one of the most positive feedbacks I’ve had (from supporters) about the line-up - that’s the nice thing,’’ Rosco told the Adver.

“The way it has panned out, I think the team is a lot better and there is a lot more balance in it.

“Looking at the (other Elite League) teams, I would say that, on their day, every (Robins) rider can beat anyone in this league.

“It’s going to be about getting that bit of consistency and that’s what we’ll all be looking at.’’ Rossiter hopes a young, vibrant team will help to lift any negativity surrounding the delays in the club moving into their new home, a switch now set to take place in July.

The team boss added: “The biggest thing for me is the potential for improvement (in the team).

“It’s nice to be going into Christmas with a positive feeling about it and hopefully it will take away some of the negative feeling about the stadium.

“We’re ready to be in there (new stadium) in July and we’ll be having plenty of practice in it before then.’’

The process of finalising Elite League fixtures will take place on January 8, with Rossiter keen to minimise any clashes with Premier League fixtures as possible, particularly with regard to Wright’s Somerset Rebels commitments.