RENAT GAFUROV is out of the Swindon Robins side to face 2005 Elite League champions Coventry Bees tonight and will be replaced by Ritchie Hawkins.

He missed last week's big win over Oxford and is unavailable for a second successive Thursday owing to Russian League commitments as well as tomorrow's return match against the Bees at Brandon.

Pebley Beach Swindon Robins co-promoter and team manager Alun Rossiter was under the impression that Gafurov would be riding for Swindon but has had to make a late switch and bring in No 8 Hawkins for a second appearance this season.

"It is totally out of our hands," said Rossiter, "The Russian Federation won't release him.

"We thought he would be available to ride for us in both matches against Coventry, and to be fair Renat also thought he would be able to represent Swindon as well. However that is not the case.

"We cannot use the rider replacement facility for him, but our No 8 Ritchie Hawkins is available and will ride for us in both fixtures.

"We couldn't have wished for a better replacement as Ritchie is so keen to do well and always gives 100 per cent when he comes into the team."

Rossiter continued: "It is unfortunate about Renat and we are looking into his fixtures.

"It is so different in Russia to over here where basically you have to do as you are told.

"As I say we will be looking in the next few days. If Renat only has a couple of other fixtures that clash we could possibly accept them or we may decide to look elsewhere for a replacement.

"Despite his loss the team are still upbeat and looking to beat Coventry and collect another win and continue the move up the table."

Reigning league champions Coventry will provide stiff opposition and include the majority of their championship play-offs winning side that turned-over Belle Vue in the final.

Only two riders are missing, namely Swede Joonas Kylmakorpi who has made way for the return of Australian Rory Schlein after injury.

The other, a Polish rider, needs no introduction to the Blunsdon faithfully. He is Sebastian Ulamek, who was squeezed out at Brandon by the averages.

Ironically, the only new rider in the Coventry line-up is Robins' asset Olly Allen.

Ulamek is living-up to Rossiter's expectations and pre-season quotes of being the steal of the season.

Last week the likeable Pole produced five winning rides against Oxford and registered his first maximum in a Robins race jacket.

Allen, spent seven seasons at Blunsdon but struggled again last year after a spell on the sidelines through injury.

He will obviously be looking to impress and maintain his recent upsurge in form.

The meeting should be a cracker with Coventry, who made a fantastic late run in 2005 to reach the play-offs, much fancied to do well in the Elite League again this year.

The clashes between Grand Prix riders Leigh Adams and Lee Richardson with Bees Scott Nicholls will be very interesting.

Teams

SWINDON: 1 Leigh Adams; 2 Mads Korneliussen; 3 Ritchie Hawkins; 4 Sebastian Ulamek; 5 Lee Richardson; 6 Adrian Miedzinski; 7 Sebastian Alden.

COVENTRY: 1 Chris Harris; 2 Morten Risager; 3 Rory Schlein; 4 Billy Janniro; 5 Scott Nicholls; 6 Martin Smolinski; 7 Olly Allen.