POLISH rider Tobiasz Musielak admitted his time away from Swindon was ‘tough’ as he battled an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury following a heavy fall in his homeland last month.

Expected to be out for over a month, Musielak claims he was ready to return to the Abbey Stadium after just a fortnight, yet the improving performances of Frenchman, David Bellego kept the young Pole on the side-lines.

However, after starting the season with the Robins, Musielak was drafted back into Alun Rossiter’s septet by the team manager a week ago and continued his second 2019 debut with an impressive 11+2 points haul in Swindon’s 58-32 demolition of Belle Vue on Thursday night.

The 25-year-old picked up the Robins’ rider of the night award for his efforts on a track that he called ‘perfect’ and ‘the best track this year in Swindon.’

Despite the award and adulation after a sensational return to action, Musielak said he was just pleased to be back doing what he loves.

“Last month was tough for me,” said Musielak.

“Straight after the crash, I went to hospital on Monday and doctors told me I would be ready in two weeks.

“I said: ‘that’s a joke, yes?’ and he said ‘no, it’s not a joke, you will be ready in two weeks.’

“I tried to believe in his word and after two weeks, I was ready to race again.

“But Frenchy (David Bellego) had replaced me, and in Poland it was the break, so I spent another two weeks in the rehabilitation clinic at the hospital. It was a big job.

“I wouldn’t have taken a longer break because this is what I love to do.

“I was trying to come back as fast as possible, that was my goal as soon as I’d crashed.

“I am back now, I feel comfortable on the bike and that is a good thing.”

A member of the Robins’ 2017 Premiership-winning side, Musielak believes there are plenty of similarities between that year and this, and says the 2019 edition can take a leaf from their forefathers as they make a late charge for glory once again.

Musielak said: “We’re all doing good and Doyley (Jason Doyle) is the best skipper in England.

“We have a strong team from number one to number seven. We have good reserves and we can achieve something really good this year.

“We know we don’t have to win the regular season. We can be in fourth position in the play-offs and we can slide in, but we can do everything in the play-offs – just remember 2017.

“Sometimes, a team needs to take a break and be refreshed. That is what Rosco did with the changes at reserve. I think we have a very strong team now.”