SWINDON Robins have been forced into a late team change for tonight's SGB Premiership play-off semi-final first leg at Poole Pirates after Bradley Wilson-Dean failed to recover from injury.

Reserve Wilson-Dean has been plagued by a wrist injury, having not ridden for Swindon since the victory over King's Lynn Stars on August 21, missing the last six meetings.

The Kiwi returned for Championship side Peterborough Panthers on Sunday in their home win over Workington Comets but despite scoring paid ten, he was struggling for fitness.

He was due to return to a Swindon reserve berth for tonight's play-off fixture at Wimborne Road but has now been ruled out, with the Robins drafting in former Poole rider Kyle Newman to replace him.

Pirates asset Newman was axed from the south coast team's 2017 line-up in June, being replaced by Paul Starke, before joining fellow top-flight side Leicester Lions.

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: "Brad was really struggling to hang on to the bike at Peterborough on Sunday and I spoke to their team manager Carl Johnson after the meeting who told me how much Brad had struggled despite scoring well.

"Brad himself pulled out of our meeting earlier this morning and admitted he isn't fit enough right now.

"It's a major disappointment because we were looking forward to welcoming him back into our team, but he needs more time to get back to full fitness and fingers crossed he can do that pretty soon.

"I had no alternative but to book a guest replacement and we sincerely thank Kyle Newman for stepping in at such late notice.

"We feel he's the right man to step into the role for us tonight and hopefully he can make his vast knowledge of the Wimborne Road circuit count."

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