SHEFFIELD Tigers have made an early start to their 2011 team-building - with the hugely popular Josh Auty already a confirmed starter for next year.

Auty met with Tigers bosses ahead of the club's end-of-season party on Thursday evening and agreed terms on a new deal on loan from parent club Coventry.

2010 has been a big breakthrough season for the Yorkshireman who has made sizeable gains on his average, partnered Ricky Ashworth to Premier League Pairs victory at Somerset - and also provided some of the most exciting racing seen anywhere in the country with his trademark blasts from the back.

Auty said: "I really feel I've turned my career around in my two years here so far, and it's great to have this all sorted before I go out to Australia this winter.

"It's still my ambition to race full-time in the Elite League for Coventry but I know I'm not ready for that yet. Hopefully in another year I will be ready, and there's no better place than Sheffield to spend that year.

"I'd like to thank the management, the sponsors and all the supporters for their backing and I can't wait to be back next season."

Tigers co-promoter David Hoggart added: "The fans have stuck by us this year, which we do appreciate, and we wanted to get this done quickly to put everyone's minds at ease.

"Josh gives top value in entertainment and it's great to go into the winter knowing that he's already put pen to paper. He is the first, and we still have to talk to the other riders, but it's good to make a fast start to our planning.

"We'd also like to thank Coventry for immediately allowing us to talk to Josh again and enabling us to complete the deal so quickly."