Rory Schlein will make his return from a serious injury with the King's Lynn Stars next season.

The popular Australian was on fire for Rob Lyon's side earlier this year until he broke his back while riding in Poland. That injury in May ended Schlein's campaign and put a huge dent in the Stars' play-off hopes – which many suggest they never recovered from.

But the Adrian Flux Arena club will be hoping for a far happier ending when speedway returns in March after the 31-year-old agreed to line-up at Saddlebow Road for the fourth year in a row.

Lyon said: 'We hadn't planned to announce Rory until later today, but it looks like our new signing, Troy Batchelor, couldn't hide his excitement about being in the same team and wanted his Twitter followers to know last night.

'It's great to have Rory in the team again. He is a big part of the club and still has a lot to give. Although Rory is coming back from a big injury, talking to him, he's confident in being able to get back to the form that he showed earlier this year.

'Rory is one of those riders who can make a big difference on the track, and a massive difference in the pits. We are delighted to have him back with us.'

Schlein, who has skippered the side for the past two seasons, joins Batchelor, Robert Lambert and Lewis Rose in being confirmed in Lynn's line-up for their latest push to win their first top-flight title.