ANYTHING Sheffield can do, Swindon can do better.

Defending SGB Premiership and Supporters’ Cup champions Swindon Robins have this morning confirmed that club captain and 2017 world speedway champion Jason Doyle has committed himself to another season at the Abbey Stadium.

The announcement - made days after it was confirmed that Nicki Pedersen agreed a shock move to Sheffield - is not only a boost to the Robins’ hopes of becoming the first club to retain the top-flight trophy since Poole four seasons ago, but also to the sport in England.

Doyle, 34, won 53 of his 112 Premiership rides for the Robins in 2019 and dropped only four points from his 10 outings in last month’s play-off grand final against Ipswich Witches – which Swindon won by a record-breaking 43 points on aggregate.

Currently in Australia recovering from an operation to fix a torn bicep, Doyle will return to his Norwich home later this month to start planning for what promises to be another flat-out campaign.

In addition to his commitments with Swindon, the GP star will ride for Czestochowa in the Polish Ekstraliga, Holsted in the Danish league and Vastervik in the Swedish league – a move that sees the Australian swap with Sheffield’s Pedersen, who heads to Rospiggarna.

Delighted to secure Doyle’s services, Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: “Negotiations were easy, it’s been done for a while – we just didn’t want it coming out before the AGM.

“Legend is a word that is used too loosely these days. But Jason is a legend, in my opinion.

“I always try to keep that continuity in my team for the benefit of the fans.”

News of Doyle’s re-signing will no doubt come as a welcome relief to supporters, particularly after he was effectively forced out of Rossiter’s squad two seasons ago.

A rule implemented at the 2017 BSPA AGM denied clubs the opportunity to track two riders holding an average greater than eight points.

The 54-year-old opted to drop Doyle, who moved to Somerset as a result, and keep Robins favourite Nick Morris.

Rossiter admits lessons have since been learnt. He added: “It was nothing personal against Jason (Doyle) at the time, but I knew we could be a bit stronger in certain areas without him.

“In hindsight, what Jason brings to the team – in addition to his points – taught us a lesson.

Robins chief Rossiter also confirmed to the Adver he is close to securing another Premiership big hitter, with another signing announcement possible next week.