SWINDON Robins will use rider replacement to cover for the injured Adam Ellis this evening as play-off hopefuls Belle Vue Aces visit the Abbey Stadium in the SGB Premiership (7.30pm).

Ellis broke his collarbone while racing for Birmingham in their Championship clash with Redcar at Perry Barr last Wednesday, and has since ruled himself out of action for at least three weeks.

Subsequently, the 23-year-old will also miss Wolverhampton Wolves’ visit to Wiltshire on Thursday, August 8 – and remains a doubt for Robins’ trip to Belle Vue on August 12.

While missing Ellis’ services will naturally come as a blow to Alun Rossiter, the Robins chief insists his powerful top five are more than capable of covering the British prospect’s rides.

And he has also been left encouraged by the performances of reserve Ellis Perks in recent weeks.

Rossiter said: “Tonight is a big meeting for us, we can’t afford to let it slip by.

“In an ideal world, we don’t want to give Belle Vue any points either. It’s going to be tough, but I’m confident we can do the job.

“We’re more than capable of covering for Adam (Ellis) with the top five we have. Tobiasz (Musielak) has had a couple of meetings elsewhere, and we should feel comfortable without Adam’s services.

“Young Ellis Perks is having a good run too. Especially last week, he looked strong.

“Fingers crossed Claus (Vissing) will start going again soon. We’re more than capable of getting a 5-1 in heat two now, in my opinion.”

Mark Lemon’s Aces will enter tonight’s meeting with confidence high following their surprise 50-40 win at Peterborough in front of the BT Sport cameras 10 days ago.

Number one Max Fricke will also be in high spirits after securing bronze at the Speedway of Nations final in Togliatti, Russia, at the weekend.

Combined with the Aces’ favourable position in the SGB Premiership table, Rossiter knows this evening’s contest can play a key part in the Robins’ hopes of reaching the play-offs come September.

He added: “Belle Vue have strengthened up at the bottom.

“A few of their boys are going well – Max Fricke likes our track and is a former track record holder.

“It’s getting to crunch time now, and we need to start putting some pressure on the road as well.”