PIRATES asset Darcy Ward is set to make his Swindon debut in tomorrow's trip to Leicester.

The Aussie practised at the Abbey last night and is poised to race for the first time since August last year.

There had been doubts over whether the 23-year-old would be ready for action following his return from Australia but those fears have now been allayed.

Ward is primed to face parent club Poole in front of the Sky cameras on Monday.

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter has warned Robins fans not to expect too much of Ward, who returned from a nine-month ban at the end of June.

Rossiter told the club website: "We haven't really had an out-and-out number one all season and, hopefully, bringing Darcy in will change that because everybody knows what he can do on a bike.

"I'm sure he'll do well and he'll be an important rider for us over the next few months but don't expect him to go out and bang in 15 points on Saturday.

"People have got to be realistic. He's done laps and looks very quick but he's been out for a long time and it will take him a few meetings to get back up to speed.

"One rider doesn't make a team and we've got other riders who need to make sure they step up to the mark on a regular basis.

"I believe we can go there and get a positive result to give us some confidence to take into the big meeting against Poole on Monday."