SWINDON Robins rider Nick Morris has backed new recruit David Bellego to make the grade at the Abbey Stadium next season.

Frenchman Bellego is one of five new faces who will be on the Robins’ roster in 2017, with British youngsters Adam Ellis and Zach Wajtkencht and Danish duo Emil Grondal and Mikkel Brondum Andersen also arriving at Blunsdon.

Morris is just one of two riders retained from this year’s septet alongside skipper and fellow Australian Jason Doyle, as team manager Alun Rossiter looks to create an exciting new era at the Abbey.

Although next season will be Bellego’s first competing in English speedway’s top tier – the newly-rebranded SGB Premiership – Morris has no doubt that the 23-year-old will be more than able to cope when he makes the step up in calibre.

The 2010 French Championship winner has primarily plied his trade at secondary Premier League level in Great Britain and was a team-mate of Morris at Glasgow Tigers in 2011, so the Aussie youngster can speak of Bellego’s credentials from first-hand expierience.

“I rode with David at Glasgow and I have ridden with him in Germany before as well,” said Morris, who will ride for a sixth consecutive season at Swindon next year.

“We’re good friends and we have been out together a few times before and he stayed at my house in Glasgow when I was riding there too.

“He is a cool guy and a good rider as well, so I am sure things will go well for him here in Swindon next season.

“Fans can expect someone who will give 100 per cent in every single race and he has the potential to be really good for Swindon.

“He is a very good rider and I’m sure he will do well.”