SWINDON Robins team manager Alun Rossiter admits there will be “a lot of pressure” on the rider who replaces Tobiasz Musielak in his septet.

The Polish rider ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament during a crash in his homeland on Sunday night and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Rossiter has therefore set his sights on a permanent replacement and is expected to announce a new recruit before Thursday’s trip to Peterborough Panthers in the SGB Premiership.

Swindon operated rider replacement in Musielak’s absence during Monday night’s resounding 55-35 victory over Belle Vue Aces, however, the riders to step in could only manage five points from four rides.

Rossiter felt the final meeting scoreline would have been even more emphatic if Musielak was present, and is therefore praying for quieter Sundays from now on.

“We’re all going in the right direction now – I’m just fed up of my phone ringing on a Sunday night and somebody saying they are injured,” said Rossiter.

“It’s a bit of a stressful night, Sunday night. Everyone else is sat at home relaxing – I’m not, I’m stressing until all the meetings in Poland are done.

“If you think, we only got five points from Tobiasz’s rides, imagine what it could have been if he was here.

“We know Tobiasz is better than five points around here.

“There is a lot of pressure on the guy that comes into replace him, but it’s down to that person to pick themselves up and get going.

“It’s down to the rider to make that position his own.”

The Robins boss has also been impressed with the endeavour he has seen from reserve Ellis Perks.

The new signing claimed just three points from five rides on Monday, but did make a nuisance of himself throughout and showed a real determination to compete, according to Rossiter.

He said: “Ellis has been an unsung hero. He’s battling his heart out and he’s really impressed me so far.

“His points on Monday didn’t show his efforts, so as long as he carries on working hard, everyone will back him all the way.”