SWINDON Robins owner Terry Russell is not going to hang around when it comes to forming a side for next season.

The Elite League may have only come to a conclusion on Wednesday, with Poole Pirates beating Belle Vue Aces in the play-off final, but Russell and team manager Alun Rossiter have already begun building for next year.

Russell says that budget is not an issue as he looks to build a team to compete with the best and could be in a position to name the first of his riders as early as Swindon’s Abbey Farewell meeting next Sunday (October 11).

“It would be wrong of me to name any names now,” he told the Adver.

“The riders that we had, we have to look at their character right through the year and into the play-offs and we have to look at the numbers game.

“We are looking seriously at the team and I don’t intend to announce (the team) in dribs and drabs through the winter, I intend to announce the team for next year fairly sharply.

“Some of those riders could be named as soon as our farewell meeting hopefully, if we can get some loose ends tied up.

“We have always competed and we have always been there at the top level.

“I understand what I have to do and I don’t think budget is an issue.

“We have had number two in the world as our number one for a number of years in Leigh Adams, we brought in Darcy when the first opportunity arose, so I don’t think there is any indication on shortcomings in budget when it comes to our team building.

“I think we are there and we compete with the best.”

The Robins have confirmed the first few riders to take part in the Abbey Farewell meeting.

A Swindon side will take on an Elite League select line-up during the meeting, with more riders set to be confirmed after this weekend’s Premier League play-off matches.

Jason Doyle will be among those to take part, along with Chris Harris, Danny King, Kyle Howarth, who was released by Swindon earlier this season, Adam Ellis, Nicolai Klindt and Justin Sedgmen.