From the warmth and good weather of Argentina and Italy, Nico Covatti knows what to expect on his return to England.

The 28-year-old Ipswich Witches rider returns for his third season at Foxhall, happy to be racing again at a track he has started to call home. Happy to look forward to another busy speedway season.

Covatti joined the Witches at the start of the 2015 campaign.

After a poor end to the 2014 season with the Witches opponents on Saturday night, Sheffield, Covatti went on to almost double his four-point average he arrived at Foxhall on in 2015. Last year he cemented that seven-point-plus scoring.

However, the all-action Covatti has his sights on even better times ahead.

“Last year, although I did well, I was not 100% happy with my scoring,” Covatti admitted at Monday’s Ipswich Witches press day.

“I wasn’t as consistent as I should have been and I want to do better.

“OK, so we finished in the play-offs and I felt I did okay in them, but we missed a chance.

“I like being at Ipswich very much and it was an easy decision for me to stay. I like the people there and they make me feel welcome.”

Covatti flew into England after enjoying time away from the track in Argentina and latterly Italy.

“I haven’t done much racing in the winter and have just been enjoying the sun,” he said.

“I have a very busy time ahead and have clubs in Poland and Denmark to ride for this year.”

But it’s in England where Covatti will hope to make the most noise and fire in the points. So, how does he rate the Witches team of 2017?

“Well, it looks very strong, don’t you think?” he said.

“I mean, some people have said we are good enough in the Championship (the league above Ipswich). This is a big opportunity for us this season.

“In Danny King we have probably the best rider in the league and he went well at Peterborough on Sunday, so it’s all good.”

Covatti is joined in the heat leader stakes at Foxhall by King and Rory Schlein. It’s a strong trio but it is always all seven who have to come to the party to make a title-winning team.

Children go free to Saturday night’s opening meeting of the season against Sheffield, start time 7.30pm.