AS SWINDON’S Alun Rossiter prepares to direct Great Britain’s latest shot at global glory tonight, the GB chief’s message to his riders is a reminder that they could be heroes.

As the host nation, Rossiter’s side – comprised of Tai Woffinden, Danny King, Robert Lambert, Craig Cook and reserve Adam Ellis – take on Poland, Sweden and Australia in the Speedway World Cup final at Belle Vue’s National Stadium (7pm start).

Great Britain have been champions of the world four times and tonight’s international showpiece provides a moment to savour for Swindon Robins boss Rossiter, who was appointed national team manager in January 2014.

Rossiter, who turned 51 a week ago, is anticipating a ferociously competitive meeting in Manchester but believes that he is ready to handle the magnitude of the occasion and that his GB charges will give it their all.

“I’m very proud – it’s not often that you get the chance to lead your own country out for a World Cup final on home soil and in front of a sell-out crowd,” Rossiter told the Advertiser.

“I’m not worried about the pressure. I’ve won two Elite League titles (with Coventry Bees in 2010 and Swindon in 2012) and both times, we’ve been up against Poole, who everybody expected to win, but got the job done.

“I think that stands me in good stead.

“The Poles have got a quality side and the fact that they can drop their captain, Maciej Janowski, shows the strength in depth they’ve got – (Krzysztof) Kasprzak is an enigma but we know that on his day, he’s a world-beater.

“Sweden are looking fantastic. (Antonio) Lindback is on the gas and Andreas Jonsson has found some form.

“It’s a fair track and it’s not going to be the easiest for us going off from the yellow gate. We’re going to have to hang in there and try and pick up as many points as we can from the first three or four heats, and then make up the difference later on.

“It’s going to be tough but we have the chance to come home as heroes.”