SWINDON Robins return from a 16-day SGB Premiership lay-off tonight as Alun Rossiter’s men get back in action at Leicester Lions following the mid-season break for the Speedway of Nations.

The Robins, currently tied at the head of the Premiership table with Wolverhampton Wolves, will go top outright if they earn a point at Beaumont Park tonight.

And reserve Jack Smith is looking to carry forward some positive momentum from Monday night’s British Final at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium, where he featured twice in place of the Worrall twins.

The teenager, who signed for the Robins after Mitchell Davey was ruled out for the rest of the season following a horror crash at Birmingham, said his appearances at the British Final will stand him in good stead as he continues to learn his craft on the bike.

He said: “It was hard (at the British Final) because by time I got a ride, everyone else had done a few races, so they knew the set-up.

“The boys have been riding all night and longer than I have, so it’s a good experience and I enjoyed it.”

Smith’s British Final experience started when Richie Worrall exceeded the two-minute time allowance in heat 11 when his bike packed up at the tapes.

His ride was cut short though after the Robins racer locked up in front of Rory Schlein while exiting turn two, forcing Schlein off his bike.

However, he earned a further chance in heat 17 after Steve Worrall, returning after two months out with a broken leg, withdrew from the meeting.

That heat ended in defeat for Smith, although he was on the pace with the likes of Kyle Howarth, Chris Harris and Richard Lawson.

“I didn’t see much wrong with my first ride, but the referee made his decision so I had to move on and hope to get another ride, which I did,” said Smith.

“Next year, hopefully I can be in the main meeting. I’ve just got to get my average up in the Championship and be able to feature in the qualifying.

“I’ve been to Leicester a few times, I enjoy it. It’s a different and tricky track. Every time I go there, I improve, so the plan is to go there and keep learning and improving. I’m looking forward to it.

“Swindon aren’t putting too much pressure on me, they’re telling me to go out and learn.

“It does take the pressure off when they say that. The main thing is to enjoy it because if you’re not enjoying it, there’s no point in doing it. I keep that in mind.”

LEICESTER: Kenneth Bjerre, Kyle Newman, Danny King, Krystian Pieszczek, Hans Andersen, James Sarjeant, Todd Kurtz.

SWINDON: Nick Morris, Adam Ellis, Troy Batchelor, David Bellego, Tobiasz Musielak, Zach Watjknecht, Jack Smith.

JOIN SHAUN REYNOLDS FOR SPEEDWAY LIVE FROM LEICESTER LIONS V SWINDON ROBINS THIS EVENING AT SWINDONADVERTISER.CO.UK/SPORT