ELITE League rivals Coventry Bees have made a move for former Swindon Robins rider Kyle Howarth to bolster their play-off prospects.

The 21-year-old lost his place with the Robins at the beginning of July to make way for Darcy Ward’s arrival.

However, the Bees, with four more matches of the regular campaign remaining, have moved to strengthen their side by bringing in the British U21 champion to replace Stuart Robson, who has been out of action since the end of July following a crash at Lakeside.

“We knew that the team needed a pick-me-up, so to speak, and we knew that realistically we needed to make a change,” promoter Mick Horton told the Bees website.

“The concern with Robbo was over whether he was going to get back to proper fitness in time, and we believe a change is best at this stage.

“Stuart is a professional and I think he knew it was on the cards. It’s nothing against him at all, but we had some points to play with and things have looked a little stale over the last couple of meetings, so I think the time is right.”

Howarth rode for Coventry last year and produced a series of strong performances in the run-up to and in the Grand Final itself last year.

However, the English rider teamed up with the Robins in the closed season before claiming the U21 crown on his first return to Brandon.

“I’ve had in-depth conversations with Kyle over the last couple of weeks, and a long chat with him today,” added Horton.

“We both agreed that mistakes were made (in the past), but it was evident at the start of the conversation that he wanted to come back to the club, we want him back and he wants to put pen to paper for next year as well.

“It strengthens the team, the other riders are happy that he’s a good addition, and another factor is that he’ll have a point to prove against Swindon.

“He rode for them, he knows their track well and the way it’s looking we could be against them in the play-offs.

“Kyle appreciates that the crowd are still behind him and still rate him, and he wants to come back and score plenty of points.”