SWINDON Robins chief Alun Rossiter says he expects to come in for plenty of criticism following his decision to let Kyle Howarth go.

Rossiter was left in a state of quandary as he sought to bring a new number one to the Abbey Stadium following the departure of Adrian Miedzinksi.

The Swindon team manager has opted to sign Poole Pirates asset Darcy Ward, but a second rider has had to leave the Robins because of the Australian’s high average.

Rossiter was left with the option to release either British under-21 champion Howarth or Grzegorz Zengota, with the Pole eventually getting the nod to stay on at Blunsdon.

The choice has given Rossiter several sleepless nights and he admits his position as Great Britain team boss makes him a target for abuse.

“I’m absolutely devastated by it, really. Nobody will understand how hard it’s been,” said Rossiter.

“It could have been a toss-up between him or Zengi. They are both very popular at Swindon but I just feel that Zengi has got the edge at the moment.

“Having to tell a likeable guy, and a good guy, and a guy who actually doesn’t deserve to be stood down, this news has given me sleepless nights.

“This has just all come about because of the numbers game and this is what happens in speedway.

“We have had to make a decision and I’m going to get berated because I am the national manager. People are going to be pointing fingers for getting rid of a Brit.

“I know it’s coming, Terry Russell (Robins owner) said I am going to cop a lot of flak for it, but we have got to make the right decisions for Swindon.

“At the end of the day, I think what we have done is right for Swindon. This is not a Great Britain issue, this is a Swindon issue and it’s about the interests of the club and the supporters.”

Last month Rossiter gave Howarth his senior international debut by naming him as reserve for Great Britain’s World Cup campaign.

The Robins chief says he would be keen to welcome Howarth back to the Abbey for future seasons and has no doubt that he will be snapped up by another Elite League outfit soon.

“I’d love to sign him again. I believe in him and I picked him for the reserve spot for Great Britain,” said Howarth.

“There’s probably anger there, which I fully understand and respect, and it makes it hard as I get on very well with him.

“He will be snapped up within a week, I guarantee it.

“If he was stuck on the sides it would be even worse but knowing the calibre of rider he is, he’ll be snapped up very quickly.”