Sam Ermolenko is confident Leicester Lions can be a real force in the Premier League next season.

The club's sporting director will be playing a key role in rider recruitment and believes he can help assemble a squad capable of making an impact.

Ermolenko, the 1993 world champion, came on board with the Lions last summer. His extensive list of contacts, and undoubted knowledge of the sport, have been a big plus.

"When I came here, I had a list of 23 riders who wanted to ride with us," said the 49-year-old from California. "I can tell you that I could have produced some pretty strong teams from them. We named a good team for our representative match against Rye House in March, which was postponed because of a waterlogged track, and we could even have strengthened that.

"I think a lot of people have taken note that I am actively involved with the Lions. A lot of riders will be thinking they could make the right career move by coming here. I've even heard from a couple of Elite League riders who are thinking of coming down for a look."

Among the riders Ermolenko recruited for the Rye House challenge were Sileby's David Howe, who enjoyed many successful years with Wolverhampton in the Elite League, Chris Mills, who scored more than 200 points for Sheffield last season, and teenager Ludvig Lindgren, the younger brother of Grand Prix rider Freddie.

The Lions will be back in action in March after an absence of 28 years in Leicester, and they will be racing at their new £1.2million track in Beaumont Leys.

Ermolenko is as delighted as anybody connected with the club and said: "I'm very proud of what we have achieved.

"There were a couple of legal matters to sort out but now we've got all parties together and involved in the construction of the project. We are tieing everything down to make sure the schedule is met."

The speedway track is just one part of the £4.5million Beaumont Sports Complex and is on course to be completed in time for the Premier League season in March.

"I was away when the first piece of turf was cut there last month," said Ermolenko. "Now I'm back, we are now in full control and things are going very smoothly."