SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter will be camped in front of his TV this evening to watch Birmingham take on Poole, but has played down the importance of the meeting in the context of the Robins’ season.

The Pirates could seal top spot in the Elite League tonight with a victory at Perry Barr, but will have to do so without the in-form Piotr Pawlicki after the young Pole suffered a shoulder injury riding in his homeland on Wednesday.

If the men from the south coast slip up they will leave the door ajar for the Robins to snatch top spot when they themselves travel to Birmingham on Wednesday, earning the right to choose their opponent in next week’s play-off semi-finals.

While it seems likely the Robins will be asked to face Peterborough in the two-legged semi-final if Poole finish top, Rossiter is not overly concerned who his side end up facing.

“Of course I will be watching the meeting, but it is not the be-all and end-all for us,” he said.

“Whoever we end up getting in the play-offs we have got to beat, whether that be Poole, whether that be Birmingham or whether it is Peterborough.

“We have just got to ride the way I know we can and win.

“Everybody is worried that we got beaten badly at Peterborough last time we went there, but I do not believe we will ride that badly again because it will be totally different because it is a play-off fixture.”

Rossiter also believes his side’s recent form proves the Robins are capable of beating any side in the league over two legs.

“You have to remember we only just lost out at Poole, and we had some under-par performances there and we could have done better,” he said.

“We only lost by eight, and people need to stop underestimating this Swindon team and whoever we get we have to take on.

“We have to be positive, and whatever comes our way we have got to do it.”