WASPS go into Knockout Cup action for the first time this season tomorrow when they travel to the Premier League's newest venue.

Birmingham re-opened at Perry Barr last month after a 20-year absence from the sport, under the promotion of Graham Drury, and the West Midlands club have enjoyed strong results and big crowds so far.

As far as Newport are concerned, the venture to a new track for five of their six available riders - Phil Morris rode in a season-opening individual event at Perry Barr - will see them looking to keep the tie as close as possible with the second leg coming up at the Hayley Stadium on Sunday.

Wasps will be without Nick Simmons, who has had to give rest to a broken scaphoid after initially racing on. Simmons intends to return as soon as possible, but in the meantime his excellent form this season so far means Wasps can at least use the rider replacement facility with the full team entitled to an extra ride.

The new riding order after the change of averages allowed reserve Michal Rajkowski to take seven rides for a paid-14 haul against Stoke on Sunday, and the re-shuffle worked well as there were also big points in the middle-order from the in-form Chris Schramm, as well as 15 from Phil Morris.

Birmingham include the vastly experienced Jason Lyons as well as exciting Dane Ulrich Ostergaard - and if Wasps can limit the points-scoring of those two big guns, they will be on their way to a useful result.

Promoter Tim Stone said: "We're setting no targets for this tie as it's new territory for all of the boys except Phil, whereas all of their riders have ridden our track before.

"We know they've had a decent start to the season, so we won't be setting any aspirations other than to do the best job possible in both meetings.

"We had a pleasing win against Stoke on Sunday, with some very good performances and we managed to cope with using rider replacement although we hope Nick can get himself back fit soon."