SWINDON Robins boss Alun Rossiter hopes the deployment of Rye House track specialist Edward Kennett will prove a shrewd move as his side chase an 11th straight SGB Premiership win in Hertfordshire tonight.

Former Rye House skipper Kennett, who was axed by the Rockets earlier this summer as part of a series of team changes, stands in for the injured Jason Doyle as the Robins try to maintain their astonishing run of form.

Kennett, who rode for the Robins in 2013, boasts a 9.71 average from his six Premiership matches at the Hertfordshire venue this season, but lost his place due to his away form.

Redcar and Cradley rider Danny Ayres steps in at reserve following the season-ending injury for Zach Wajtknecht, having scored 11+2 on his previous visit to Rye House with former club Leicester back in May.

Rossiter said: “There is no Jason (Doyle) so Edward Kennett is in at number one and Danny Ayers at number seven for Zach.

“I think Edward might have a bit of a point to prove there, I think it is fair to say he will be fired up. As long as he doesn’t over ride he will do well but I’ve known Edward a long time and I am sure he will be fine.

“There is no damage for Jason but he just needs a bit of time off. He doesn’t need to ride here, there and everywhere, he needs to take his time and try to let it heal on its own.

“Who says we can’t make it 11? We have got to go there with that attitude now. It is no good trying to hide under the radar now, saying we are the underdogs, we are top of the league now and everybody will be wanting to knock us off.’’

A supporters’ collection for the injured Wajtknecht at Thursday night’s 52-40 win over Leicester raised more than £1,800, with Rossiter praising the response to the stricken rider’s plight.

“There is nobody there to replace Zach and what he was doing, he was getting sixes and sevens home and away. There is nobody out there to replace him on the average he is on. I can’t believe how low his average is considering the points he has been scoring.

“He has been doing good. I had a word with his dad and we talked about how serious his injury is. He needs a solid two weeks of no movement, just relaxing and doing nothing and hopefully the spleen will repair on its own.

“There was over £1,000 in notes so far and that’s pretty good. I remember when Darcy Ward got injured a few years back and we raised nearly £3,500 on a night, I know how generous the Swindon people are and a big thank-you to them, I am sure Zach will be over the moon with it."

Rye House have signed former world number two Krzysztof Kasprzak, who was released by Poole last month after a torrid season, as a reserve but the Pole misses tomorrow’s match due to his involvement in the Speedway Euro Championship.

That series is not recognised by the British authorities, meaning the Rockets have to use a National League rider who does not currently appear in either of the top two leagues.

RYE HOUSE: Chris Harris, Ben Barker, Ricky Wells, Stuart Robson, Scott Nicholls, Guest TBC, Ben Morley.

SWINDON: Edward Kennett, Tobiasz Musielak, Bradley Wilson-Dean, David Bellego, Nick Morris, Adam Ellis, Danny Ayres.

JOIN ADVER SPORT EDITOR OWEN HOULIHAN FOR COVERAGE OF TONIGHT’S MEETING IN SPEEDWAY LIVE AT SWINDONADVERTISER.CO.UK/SPORT FROM 6.30PM