Speedway: Swindon Robins sign Ashley Birks as reserve

Swindon Robins have signed Ashley Birks to fill one of their reserve berths for the 2013 Elite League campaign.

The 22-year-old is a Scunthorpe asset and captained the side to the Premier League title this season.

He will stay with the Scorpions while doubling-up at Swindon.

"Swindon is a track that I think can be really good for me. It's a good track for your future, to get you used to big tracks," the former motocross rider told BBC Wiltshire.

"It's going to be a good team. You can trust [manager] Alun Rossiter to put a strong team together and fingers crossed we can repeat what they did this year."

Rossiter, who lead Swindon to the Elite League title last month, said: "Ashley is a rider who is very much on the up.

"I was very impressed with him, and although he hasn't had much Elite League action so far I feel that the more experience he gets at this level, the better he'll become.

"He's definitely a good prospect for the future, and he he can make a good impression next season then we could look to make it a more long-term arrangement."