Russell is embarking on his second season as Swindon Robins manager

Swindon Robins manager Ronnie Russell has admitted that putting together a team for the 2011 speedway season has been difficult.

The Robins have already signed Scott Nicholls, Maciek Janowski and Kenny Ingalls but Russell has been frustrated in his attempts to add to the list.

"The difficult part is that we've been so near you can almost feel the team," he told BBC Wiltshire.

"Then we get scuppered at the last minute through no fault of our own."

The club are close to tying up contracts with three other riders - Greg Zengota, Cory Gathercole and Justin Sedgmen - but these are not yet confirmed.

"It's moving in the right direction in as much as we start to get a nucleus," added Russell.

Every time I console myself that I've found the rider that I want for the team I have to sit and wait for other people Ronnie Russell

"Every time I console myself that I've found the rider that I want for the team I have to sit and wait for other people. And then the riders that I've found disappear on me."

Swindon have also been linked with Eddie Kennett who has been riding for current Elite League champions Coventry Bees for the past two seasons.

But the Bees are currently in dispute with the league and could drop out altogether.

"He would be perfect if we had a chance to have him," said Russell.

"And I would go as far as to say if we had him I would consider, not just for him but for the Swindon fans, putting in an application to see if we could stage the British final."

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