STEFAN Nielsen is aiming to play scholar as his schedule finally kicks into gear in May.

Like most riders in Britain, the Swindon Robins reserve has been left kicking his heels on many an occasion so far this season due to a sodden spring.

Back in March, he was left with a gaping hole in his schedule as his Premier League side Plymouth Devils announced they were set to close due to spiralling financial issues.

But the Devon side were saved at the 11th hour and rode their first home league meeting of the season on Friday – Nielsen scoring paid 14 in their 52-41 win over Sheffield Tigers.

With the Robins, who beat Belle Vue Aces 51-40 in their last outing on April 21 but saw a trip to Lakeside Hammers rained off the following day, also crossing their fingers for a regular run of fixtures, Nielsen is equally hopeful that he has a chance to give his continued speedway education a boost.

“It’s been hard with all the rain-offs and things like that and I feel like I haven’t really got that race-sharpness yet,” said the 21-year-old.

“I looked at my fixtures and I’ve got 14 meetings in May, so hopefully I’ve got a chance to have a busy month, where I race regularly.

“What happened with Plymouth wasn’t something I was expecting. It came out of the blue and it was very surprising and very scary.”

Alun Rossiter’s Robins head to Coventry Bees tonight (tapes-up 7.30pm) and as a Coventry asset, Nielsen has plenty of experience when it comes to the Bees’ Brandon home.

Nielsen said: “I’m owned by Coventry. Towards the end of last season, I think they worked things out with the track and it was nice, so it should be really fun going there.”

Josh Grajczonek returns to a heat-leader role and Charles Wright moving to number two. while, Coventry will operate rider replacement to cover the absence of injured Polish youngster Kacper Woryna.

Great Britain international Danny King is also a doubt after crashing out of Ipswich’s clash with Somerset in the Premier League on Friday.

COVENTRY: Krzysztof Kasprzak, Jason Garrity, Danny King, Kacper Woryna R/R, Chris Harris, James Sarjeant, Josh Bates.

SWINDON: Jason Doyle, Charles Wright, Josh Grajczonek, Justin Sedgmen, Nick Morris, Rohan Tungate, Stefan Nielsen.