ALUN Rossiter has insisted a play-off spot is there for the taking for his Swindon side as they return from the World Cup break tonight.

The Robins are in action at Poole, who themselves look certain to be involved in the end of season mix, with Rossiter’s side sitting a place and two points behind Eastbourne, who occupy the final play-off place.

With Coventry and Lakeside also in the mix for the final two post-season places behind the Pirates and runaway leaders King’s Lynn, Rossiter believes taking points off their direct rivals is vital but he is confident his team can make it in.

“Looking at it, it could be four teams fighting for two places,” he said.

“We can get three points back from Lakeside on Thursday but we all know Poole is going to be tough so we have to make sure our home wins are all three-pointers.

“We should have no fear in going to Coventry so I’m hoping we can do something there.

“We need to beat the teams around us, that’s vitally important, but we have to make sure we keep on doing what we’re doing.

“In the last few weeks before the World Cup we beat some good teams at home but we need to keep that going.”

Rossiter admitted tonight’s match against Poole is going to be a tough one, especially given Neil Middleditch’s side go into the encounter on the back of a 59-36 hammering of Wolverhampton on Monday night.

“It’s going to be a tough one because Poole are on fire at the moment, but we are due to put in a good performance there,” he said.

“We’ll be looking for an improved performance by the boys but I’m confident we can get one.”

The Robins are without Simon Gustafsson this evening, due to the Swede riding in the qualifying round for his national championship, with Belle Vue’s Richie Worrall drafted in as a guest replacement.

Rossiter worked with Worrall, twin brother of Swindon reserve Steve, throughout last week during Great Britain’s World Cup campaign and is confident the Belle Vue man will do a good job.

“Our options are very limited for what we can do unfortunately but Richie is definitely a good choice and I’m sure he’ll do alright,” he said.

“Simon’s in the Swedish qualification round which is obviously important to him so we wish him well.”