SWINDON Robins have added some quality firepower at the top end of their team for the 2016 season by signing Grand Prix star Jason Doyle.

The Aussie was one of the stars of Swindon's last Elite League-winning side three years ago.

Though a Swindon asset Doyle has spent the past two seasons with Leicester but has now decided on a return to Wiltshire.

Doyle has an impressive Elite League average of 9.44 and finished fifth in his first Grand Prix series in 2015.

Robins chief Alun Rossiter said: "We are delighted to welcome Doyley back to the Abbey. He provides us with a superb spearhead.

"He's clearly one of the best riders in the league and it's a great move for us to bring him back to Swindon.

"We've spoken a lot and we are both excited by the season ahead. It's a great boost to our team building.

"Since Leigh Adams retired we have never had a genuine, out-and-out number one rider for a full season.

"We saw how it can help a team when Darcy (Ward) came in towards the end of 2015 and did an amazing job for us, he was awesome.

"Fingers crossed that Jason will be equally potent with his points scoring and he can help us push for that Elite League title once again after winning it with us in 2012."

Doyle joins Justin Sedgmen, Charles Wright and Stefan Nielsen in the Swindon side with just three places remaining to be filled.

Meanwhile, former Robins rider Darcy Ward is heading back to Australia to consider what the future holds after accepting: “I may never walk again.”

The 23-year-old Poole Pirates asset who proved such a prolific scorer for Swindon until his fateful crash in Poland last August has now confirmed fans’ fears over his long-term prognosis.

He told the Daily Mail: “It’s not good. I’ve got to grips with it now that I may never walk again but I am okay with that. I’ve never been one to focus on the negatives.

“Anything is possible. With technology and medication moving forward, things could change.”

Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch, who has doubled up as father figure and landlord for Ward during his time in the UK, revealed the Aussie ace’s plans to head home centred round the rehabilitation of his upper body.

“I know Darcy wants to come back (to the UK) to get involved in maybe coaching a rider, a team or something along those lines," Middleditch told the Bournemouth Echo.

"Once he’s more mobile, he can establish how well he can get around and see what his limitations are.

“But that is a long way off yet. The next few months back home is about taking stock of things and deciding what he and Lizzie (Ward’s partner) are going to do with their future.”