RONNIE Russell believes Thomas H. Jonasson will pick up his flying April form quickly as the reserve returns to aid an ailing Swindon side.

The Swede has not ridden for the Robins since the defeat to Lakeside on April 23 due to a worldwide ban, but will slot in alongside Jordan Frampton for tonight’s visit to Belle Vue.

Swindon have lost two meetings out of three in Jonasson’s absence and Russell revealed he had been surprised by how much his team have missed the talented 21-year-old.

“It’s been amazing,” admitted the Abbey Stadium chief.

“Before the season began we always knew Thomas had a ban coming up but we never ever realised it would be so devastating to us.

“The difficulty is he’s had a worldwide ban, he’s coming back and it’s like starting a new season.

“He started off the season slowly but he learnt from his early mistakes and I’m hopeful he will get back into the groove quite quickly. I see no reason why he can’t do that.”

Other than the return of Jonasson in place of Justin Sedgmen, Russell will stick with the same personnel that lost at home to Elite League leaders Poole on Thursday.

Mads Korneliussen and Morten Risager both ride with Russell stressing that the under-fire Danes would need to give a strong performance, or find themselves surplus to requirements.

“They know we are actively looking at alternatives if they don’t get going,” he said.

“If riders don’t step up to the mark then they will have to pay the penalty. It’s the last-chance saloon and they are in it.”

While Russell admitted he was not a fan of Belle Vue’s Kirkmanshulme Lane circuit, he revealed that he was in no doubt as to the quality of the septet riding on it.

“I believe it’s the worst-prepared speedway track there is,” he said.

“But they have got a very good side. Beyond their wildest expectations they never expected James Wright to step up to the plate - he has been a big plus for them.

“They are doing well at home and when you have Hans Andersen and Peter Karlsson, that’s a formidable pair.”

Meanwhile, the British Speedway Promoters’ Association has announced that the introduction of controversial new silencers in the Elite League has been postponed until next year.

A statement released by the association said: “We have received strong claims from riders asking for more time in order to adjust the engines correctly, both to operate efficiently and safely.

“It is for these reasons that we see no other way than to postpone the introduction date until January 1, 2011.”