SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter was rather hoping out-of-form Seb Ulamek would return to his former stomping ground in Birmingham colours tonight.

But the experienced Pole is riding in a Grand Prix qualifier in his homeland so the Brummies will operate rider replacement in his absence.

That is a state of affairs which Rossiter wanted to avoid in the Elite League opener, given that the 36-year-old has struggled to impress in Birmingham’s early-season exploits.

Ulamek has managed just 12 points in his last three Midland League outings for the Perry Barr side, and Rossiter felt his septet could have taken advantage.

“I think Birmingham will be stronger without Ulamek, because he hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire,” said Rossiter.

“Obviously it’s early days and anything can happen, but early form suggests they will be stronger without him.

“I’m not too bothered about it because I’m comfortable with my team, but Birmingham are quite balanced and could be a dark horse.

“They have strength in depth and a lot depends on whether Ben Barker and Josh Auty get the important meetings.”

One other change to the Birmingham line-up from Thursday’s 58-34 defeat to Coventry is the return of Bjarne Pedersen, who like Swindon’s Hans Andersen has completed the marathon journey back from New Zealand having ridden in the Grand Prix. Elsewhere, Auty comes in for Ritchie Hawkins at reserve.

On Swindon’s side, Jason Doyle makes his first appearance for the Robins in 2012 with Kenny Ingalls dropped and Peter Kildemand switching to reserve.

Doyle is unable to ride in the return meeting at Perry Barr tomorrow due to his Premier League commitments so Seb Alden will replace him. Birmingham are expected to welcome back Ulamek.

Meanwhile, Rossiter has played down the impact of early-season bike problems for Robins riders, revealing he would rather those issues occur in challenge meetings than in the Elite League.

He said: “I’m feeling very optimistic, we had a few gremlins in a couple of dry runs but they are the times when you need them.

“Nick (Morris) was having trouble with the clutch and the chain, Troy (Batchelor) had ignition problems and Hans (Andersen) blew an engine, silly little things really.

“I’m just glad it happened then.”