ALUN Rossiter has warned of a Troy Batchelor strike-back ahead of the former Swindon Robins skipper’s return to the Abbey Stadium with King’s Lynn Stars tonight.

Australian Batchelor spent five of the past six seasons at Blunsdon before returning to the side who gave him his first crack at British speedway for 2016.

Batchelor failed to score a point in his final fixture as a Robin as Swindon were beaten at home by Belle Vue in the second leg of their Elite League semi-final last year.

Swindon team manager Rossiter hopes the Abbey crowd do not get on Batchelor’s back as he makes his Blunsdon comeback as, although he is only just returning from a broken arm, the 28-year-old is more than capable of silencing his critics.

“It’s one of the best ones for him to come back to. I know he hasn’t ridden that much recently but he knows the Abbey so well,” said Rossiter, whose side can climb back to the top of the table with a fifth straight win.

“I hope he gets a good reaction from the crowd. I know people are a bit funny as he had a bit of an up and down time here but he gave us five years' good service and I think people should remember that.

“They have got Lewis Rose, who was here last year, too, so a few guys who know the Abbey, so it will be a tough meeting.”

“We have been in good form and we have to try to keep it going.

“We just want to keep winning. It’s very nice to be top of the league but there’s still a long way to go in the season.”

The two teams were denied the chance to do battle last night as wet weather forced the meeting at the Stars' Adrian Flux Arena to be called off.

“The forecast looks good, so hopefully the weather can hold off and it doesn’t turn on us like it did for King’s Lynn,” added Rossiter.

“Of course we’re disappointed as you always want to ride but the fact we’ve got another meeting so quickly makes it easier.

“It would have been more disappointing now if we didn’t have another meeting scheduled until next week.”