SKIPPER Jason Doyle has revealed his relief that his role spearheading Swindon Robins’ SGB Premiership challenge has been confirmed after admitting to a stress-filled winter surrounding his British speedway future.

Australian ace Doyle signed a two-year deal with the Robins last September but his position at the head of Alun Rossiter’s side was placed under threat after the Polish Extraleague flexed its considerable financial muscle.

Doyle also rides for Zielona Gora in Poland and Polish League restrictions on the number of leagues their contracted riders can participate in threw the 31-year-old’s commitments in this country into doubt.

The Robins and Doyle’s Polish outfit have since agreed an arrangement and while Zielona Gora have priority over the Grand Prix rider in case of fixture clashes, Swindon are confident that those are virtually non-existent.

Doyle, who sat out the conclusion of last season after undergoing an elbow operation that denied him the chance of a first individual world title, returns to action tonight in the Darcy Ward Invitational in Poole, an event held in aid of the Foundation of fellow Australian and former Robins number one Ward, whose career was ended by serious spinal injuries after a crash in Poland in 2015.

The current Swindon skipper admits the doubts over his racing future in Britain - as well as the new points limit in the SGC Premiership did take their toll during the off season.

“It’s been a pretty stressful winter with what’s been happening in Poland and England,” said Doyle.

“We didn’t really know for sure until a couple of weeks ago if we’d definitely be riding in England.

“The Polish Federation wanted us to ride in just Poland and make sure England was the second-choice team, but the teams in England wouldn’t sign the papers for a while.

“We’ve managed to sort that out now thankfully, and I’m kind of just happy to have a place after the changes in Britain over the winter.’’ Doyle has been handed a whopping 13.41 average for the 2017 British campaign, placing huge emphasis on him scoring heavily during Robins’ title bid.

He added: “It’s ridiculous, because we know we can’t get this average so I think they should have capped it at 12.”

Swindon team-mate Nick Morris also takes part in tonight’s Poole event, with both riders making their first Swindon appearance of 2017 at next Thursday’s press and practice day, at which gates will open to the public at 5pm.

Doyle and Morris then represent the Robins at the SGB Premiership Pairs at Somerset next Friday and have been drawn in group A alongside the host club, champions Wolverhampton and Belle Vue.

Newcomers Rye House, Poole, Leicester and King’s Lynn make up group B, with the top two pairs from each group in the qualifying heats progressing to the semi-finals.