ALUN Rossiter wants his Swindon Robins troops to rubber-stamp their place in the Elite League play-offs to ensure tonight’s meeting at home to Leicester Lions is not the last at the current Abbey Stadium.

On Monday, it was revealed that the Robins’ move to their new home had taken a big step forward with the announcement that the final planning hurdle had been overcome, with work on the new stadium due to start shortly.

The Robins had initially hoped to be in their new venue, which will be built on the site of the existing Abbey Stadium, in time for the 2016 season but the facility is now expected to be ready by April next year.

That would see Swindon racing at their new home in the 2017 campaign, meaning that should they fail to secure a top-four finish in the league, this evening’s fixture would be the last at the current venue.

Team manager Rossiter has therefore set his sights on qualifying for the play-offs at the very least to give the Abbey a fitting send-off.

Victory at home to bottom side Leicester in the final home fixture of the 2016 regular season would see the Robins take a significant stride towards achieving that, especially if fifth-placed Lakeside Hammers are also beaten at King’s Lynn Stars tonight.

“We always knew that the new stadium was going to happen. We have had people coming and going and doing little bits and pieces and we have just had to be patient,” said Rossiter.

“These things take time, as we’ve seen with other stadiums around the country, but we always knew it was going to happen eventually.

“It’s nice to know that it is done now and we don’t want this to be the last meeting, I am sure that we can get a couple more in.

“It would be nice if we could make the final with it being the last season at the stadium – that would be a great way to finish.

“We will have one eye on the King’s Lynn fixture against Lakeside because if they were to win, it would do us a massive favour.

“But we have got to make sure we win first and foremost, that’s all we can do. We just have to do our part and then what will be will be.”

The Robins were stunned by Leicester when they last travelled to Blunsdon back in June, with the Lions securing their sole away victory of the season.

Rossiter has warned his troops about getting caught cold again and is hoping for a repeat performance of the one they produced to beat reigning champions Poole Pirates 50-42 in their last home fixture 10 days ago.

“We thought we were going to win comfortably the last time they came here but we ended up getting beaten,” said Rossiter. “We need to make sure we have got the right attitude. They have improved from where they were at the start of the season.

“The guys all did a fantastic job against Poole and more of the same would be very handy.”