Newport Wasps, with two front-line riders absent, will be extended to the limits when they entertain Premier League champions Sheffield Tigers on Sunday (tapes up 2.30pm).

Skipper Craig Watson is competing in the fourth quarter-final of the Grand Prix qualification for next year at the Heusden-Zolder track in Belgium while Niels Kristian Iversen rides in the World Under-21 Championships.

Tim Stone, Newport promoter, uses the Isle of Wight's Adam Shields as a guest for Watson and covers Iversen with rider replacement.

Stone said: "I have great respect for what Sheffield achieved last season with a team basically made up from youngsters.

"They have done well at our place in the past few seasons (two wins and a draw in their last three visits) so it's time for us to put the record straight.

"I certainly feel we're a better side than last season and we should feel confident of beating them."

Sean Wilson, the Premier League's top rider, missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury, but he's now back in action.

Reserve Ricky Ashworth has already established quite a reputation, yet another rider making a successful switch from grass track racing.

He's in his second season with the champions and Knock-out Cup holders, gaining double figures points in both home and away meetings.

He got a maximum when Sheffield entertained Swindon and riding at Hull he collected a paid 16 from seven rides.

Meanwhile, Stone's protest to the British Speedway Promoters' Association against Poole's use of rider replacement for Lukas Dryml in the British League Cup last Sunday will be dealt with by the Speedway Control Board.

The Czech Republic rider was in Poland for a league fixture when the Dorset club rode at Hayley Stadium and the previous day competed in the Swedish Grand Prix.

Stone said that Poole should not have been allowed the "facility" although Poole produced clearance paperwork from the BSPA before the meeting on Sunday.

He added: "The BSPA do not have the power to deduct points - the SCB do."

Poole's use of rider replacement brought six points through Craig Boyce (one point), Bjarne Pedersen (three), reserve Tony Primmer and Davey Watt (two).