SWINDON Robins boss Alun Rossiter says he expects to see skipper Troy Batchelor on the startline come the first fixture of the new season next month.

The build-up to the 2015 campaign has seen all Elite League clubs affected by visa issues, with Australian Batchelor one of more than 20 riders to have theirs revoked after the Home Office discovered that the sport’s employment of non-EU athletes did not comply with their rules.

Rossiter and other members of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association have been working closely with UK Visas and Immigration to resolve the issue.

Should Batchelor not be able to ride, the Robins have a deal in place with former rider Peter Kildemand to act as a stand-in.

But Rossiter does not expect him to be required and says the visa problems are close to being fixed, meaning Batchelor should be able to feature in the season opening double header against Poole Pirates on Good Friday.

“We’re pretty much there,” said Rossiter.

“We’ve had a visit from the Border Agency and it’s just a case of waiting for all the pieces to fall into place and everyone sitting down for the day and sorting it out.

“It’s just down to when Troy gets that bit of paper. Once he has it he can ride.

“With Peter it’s a case of if I need him I’ll call him but at the moment I don’t think we’ll need to.

“I’m happy with where we are with everything a month out from the season.

“It’s just a case of getting it all organised but it’s all going to plan.”

The new season will kick-off with the annual Ben Fund meeting at the Robins’ Abbey Stadium on Sunday.

Two Swindon riders will be in action, with Kyle Howarth in the England team and Nick Morris riding for Australia.

Howarth will ride alongside Ben Barker, Richard Lawson and Adam Roynon, while Morris’ Australian team-mates are Rusty Harrison, Rory Schlein and Sam Masters.

Bjarne Pedersen, Thomas Jorgensen, Jan Graversen and Kenneth Hansen make up the Denmark side, while Szymon Wozniak, Jakub Jamrog, Greg Walasek and Adam Skornicki all ride for Poland.

The meeting is in aid of the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund and is being staged at Blunsdon for the first time.

Rossiter added: “It’s not really a Swindon meeting but it will be good for people to get their speedway fix again.

“The most important thing about it is that it’s for a very, very good cause.”