AUSTRALIAN Nick Morris admits it is time for him to step up to the plate and show what he is capable of in an important season for him at the Abbey Stadium.

Despite only being 22, Morris is heading into his sixth campaign with Swindon Robins and admits his development as a rider hit a bump last term.

The young rider put a lack of consistency to his meetings, as well as an ankle injury, down to his indifferent form.

Morris, who will be riding in Denmark as well this term, is hoping a late change to his bike last season and a return home during the winter will help him for the upcoming campaign.

“I’m not happy with where I am,” he admitted. “I should be further up the ladder than where I am now.

“Last year slowed me up a little bit, I have been improving every year and then last year was a bit slower. That’s what happens. I am still young and still trying to figure it out myself, it doesn’t just come overnight.

“It was good to go back to Australia and have a bit of good weather and have a break away from speedway.

“All you think about during the season is speedway, speedway, speedway and it becomes a job in the end. It is good to have a break because it takes a toll on you by the end of the season.

“It wasn’t a great year for me, that’s for sure, but I learnt a lot about myself on and off the track and what I need to perform and we’ll be putting those things into play this year, with racing as much as I can. I will keep working hard until I get there.”

Skipper Jason Doyle is the only other mainstay in the septet from last season and while Morris is optimistic about the new-look side, he admits they can ill afford to spend too long gelling.

“I am sure the team will be good,” he added. “Doyle will be on fire, we know that, but one rider can’t win meetings. It can definitely help.

“The other guys, including myself, need to be scoring points as well for it to be the complete package and we’ll be able to help the other guys who haven’t done much in the Elite League.

“David Bellego, we know what he is capable of, along with Adam Ellis as well. I am sure they’ll go well and it will take the pressure off of the other three and we’ll let them go at their own pace and let them race.”