Batch shuns Robins return

Swindon to let Aussie go elsewhere

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 25th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Batch shuns Robins return

Batchelor: Set for move (Pic credit Les Aubrey)

Related links

Teams

Also see

Swindon Robins have confirmed that they have had to revise their plans for 2010 after club asset Troy Batchelor shunned the chance to return to Blunsdon.

The Robins had looked to bring the Australian international back into their side, after he had been dropped last term following injury.

Batchelor started last season with Swindon, but he broke wrist in May and was replaced by Slovenia star Matej Zagar and his form meant he kept his place.

Now Batchelor has seemingly turned down Swindon, because of their failure to bring him back last term.

He finished the season on loan at Ipswich Witches, and they along with the likes of Peterborough are being linked with a move to take him in 2010.

"Apart from Leigh [Adams], Troy was always going to be on our cards," said team boss Alun Rossiter.

"We wanted him for next season and we looked at him as a rider that was going forwards.

"He has gone from a 5.7 average to a 6.7 average and we felt he could progress to over eight next year.

"It made it a lot harder (to decide on a line-up) because we didn't envisage there being a problem. We planned for him to spearhead the team with Leigh.

"I'm disappointed because I kept in contact with him all last season when he was out on loan with Ipswich, and everything seemed fine. Then all of a sudden he doesn't want to ride for you.

"I think he's still smarting from being dropped, but if he hadn't crashed he wouldn't have got dropped..

"If I had dropped Zagar after the way he rode, I would have been sacked as manager.

"You can't drop someone who comes in and starts scoring 15 points. Zagar turned our season around, make no bones about that."

Click Here for Your Free Bet