THE absence of Charlie Gjedde has again left Robins chief Alun Rossiter frustrated tonight - but at least he can make one young rider's dream come true at Poole (7.30pm), writes OWEN HOULIHAN.

Dane Gjedde has again been called upon by his homeland club Outrup, meaning No 8 Cory Gathercole steps into the No 2 berth for the clash against the Pirates.

Rossiter admits the Gjedde situation has baffled him - Outrup are rock-bottom of their league while Robins are challenging for Elite League honours - but at least Gathercole is a happy man.

The Blunsdon chief explained: "It's always been Cory's dream to ride in the same race as his cousin (Leigh Adams) and that will happen in three races tonight.

"Cory has got the call and hopefully he can do well for us. He did okay at Wolverhampton (earlier this month.'' On Gjedde he added: "It's frustrating but what can you do? He's taken the decision.'' Despite that - and Robins' slender aggregate advantage (one point) - Rossiter is still relishing a clash on the track where he made his name as a rider.

"It's a return to my old stomping ground and it is do-able for us,'' he added.

"We'll go and try and do the best we can. Poole will obviously be fired up because they missed a chance to close the gap on us more by losing at Wolverhampton on Monday.'' With Gathercole at two, Tomasz Chrzanowski reverts to the four position for Swindon.

Pirates' chief Neil Middleditch is certainly not playing down tonight's encounter He told Poole's website: "Swindon have been our great rivals for eons, but never has so much been resting on our results than this season, with both clubs looking to score off each other for the play-offs where we could meet again.

"At the moment it looks like Swindon, Coventry and Peterborough along with ourselves will be in the final mix, but it's the order of the four teams which is the most fascinating aspect right now.

"Getting a top two position is priority for all of us to earn a home semi-final one-off leg on September 17.'' He added: "The air of expectation, the atmosphere and the huge support Swindon will have brought with them from Wiltshire for this one makes this a very special evening.

"For the last couple of months, I've had so many people ask me What date are Swindon at Poole because I must be there'.' "Well, this is it. They're here and we're ready.'' TEAMS POOLE: Bjarne Pedersen (captain), Troy Batchelor, Jason Crump, Craig Boyce, Edward Kennett, Jason Doyle, Steve Boxall SWINDON: Leigh Adams (captain), Cory Gathercole, Lee Richardson, Tomasz Chrzanowski, Seba Ulamek, Andrew Moore, Mads Korneliussen.