ALUN Rossiter has been handed a triple blow ahead of Swindon Robins’ Knockout Cup semi-final second leg with injuries crippling his side.

Both Adam Ellis and teenager Zach Wajtknecht will be absent, Ellis having damaged his shoulder, while Wajtknecht suffered a back injury when they were both on duty for Lakeside in their final meeting of the year.

To further add to Swindon’s problems, reserve rider Jack Smith has also been ruled out with tonsillitis.

Rossiter is scratching around for replacements, but has faith in whoever lines up as his side defend a six-point advantage they collected from the first leg at the Abbey Stadium against King’s Lynn Stars 10 days ago.

If the Robins are to make the final, they will need a marked improvement on their previous away day performances, having struggled this season.

Initially, the Robins were hopeful that Wajtknecht would feature after he received an x-ray on his injury, but Rossiter removed all confusion by stating the teenager will not ride.

“It’s important we try not to focus on the advantage we have from the first leg and that we try to win it on the night,” he said.

“We are up against it because we have lost Zach, he had a crash so he is out, Jack Smith is ill and Adam Ellis hurt his shoulder on Friday.

“I’m working on replacements and didn’t get much luck, I’m gutted and so are the riders - it is a bit frustrating.

“It sums up our season, we haven’t had much luck this year.

“No matter what four I have, I was always confident that they would do well round Kings Lynn but it’s a bit more responsibility on those who are fit, so we will see how it goes.

“We can’t go out there and try to protect the lead, we need to go out there and really try to attack them from the off.

“Zach won’t ride because he is still very stiff from his crash. It is frustrating but we will have to see what we can do.”

KING’S LYNN: Robert Lambert, Erik Riss, Ty Proctor, Thomas Jorgensen, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Michael Palm Toft, Simon Lambert.

SWINDON: Troy Batchelor, David Bellego, TBC, Tobiasz Musielak, Nick Morris, TBC, TBC.

Join Shaun Reynolds for Speedway Live from tonight’s meeting at swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport