SWINDON have announced a team change prior to their big Bank Holiday double with Poole on Monday.

The CFS Filtration Robins have moved for Ellis Perks, who will slot in at reserve in place of James Shanes (subject to BSPA approval).

Robins boss Alun Rossiter has been concerned by the Robins’ lack of points at reserve, although he has thanked Shanes for his efforts this season.

Perks, who previously rode at Premiership level for Rye House in 2017, has enjoyed a strong start to the season with Leicester in the Championship.

The 22-year-old son of former referee Robbie recently scored a 12-point maximum from his programmed rides against Newcastle in the top five for the Lions, and has since been piling up the points at reserve.

Rossiter said: “Ellis is doing well at Leicester and the big thing is that he’s popping out of the starts there, which is something we’ve been lacking at reserve.

“He has good equipment and whilst we have to emphasise it’s not going to be easy for anyone in that position with the way our team is made up, I feel he should be able to pick up some points for us.

“I’ve spoken to Stewart Dickson, his boss at Leicester, who is a man I very much respect and have often gone to regarding riders at that level, and he’s been very positive about how Ellis is riding.

“I’d like to thank James for his efforts. This league is very hard, and it wasn’t doing his confidence any good to be finding things as tough as he was.

“I felt we had to make a move, I’ve explained the situation to James and we wish him well for the rest of the season with Birmingham.”

Rossiter has also confirmed Polish star Tobiasz Musielak will return for the trip to Poole on Monday, which now has a midday start.

Musielak missed the away defeat at Belle Vue this week with a shoulder injury, but will be fit to race at Wimborne Road and then in the Abbey return at 7.30pm.