GWENT-based Newcastle speedway captain Phil Morris returns to the Hayley Stadium on Sunday believing his side can upset Newport Wasps and maintain their 100% Premier League record.

The 29-year-old Cwmfelinfach product admits it was hard being loaned out to the Northern side by Reading, where he had ridden for 12 years.

However, the move has proved a blessing in disguise, says Morris, and he is relishing the new challenge. "It was difficult to make the initial jump and having to travel 330 miles every week, but for speedway riders that's part and parcel of the game and you get used to it," he said.

"It was quite strange and an honour to be made captain. Normally the honour goes to a rider owned by the club, but

obviously Newcastle saw something in me they liked.

"I'm getting on with everyone and really enjoying the challenge, though things have not been quite so good for me personally on the track, though not bad.

"I have been around a point down on my average and seem to have had problems with injuries, crashes or with my engine in every meeting, including cracking a bone in an elbow in April, but hopefully all the bad luck is behind me.

"I'm looking forward to returning to Newport and as a team we believe we can win.

"We didn't start the season too well in the Premier Trophy but have won all three Premier League matches, including our one away from home, and believe we can keep that going on Sunday.

"We have a very solid all-round team and Lubos Tomicek has proved a bit of a secret weapon at reserve. "We won at Reading last week, which was particularly nice for me even through it was my worst performance there for two years.

Everyone scored seven or eight points."

Morris added: "Newport is a track most of the Newcastle guys are happy to ride at. There are tracks you like and tracks you don't like, Sheffield being one for us, but Newport holds no fears.

"I think we have the ability to maintain a title challenge. We have three points to play with on our averages so have the potential to bring in someone and strengthen up the team a bit more.

"Newport have a good, solid team, but seem to be a bit Jekyll and Hyde, and I hope we can catch them on a bad day as you need a bit of luck.

"The injury to Craig Watson has been very unfortunate. He is the backbone of their team. I went to visit him in hospital this week and wish him a speedy recovery.

"Newport can use a guest replacement for him but that's never as good as having your own rider.

"Both teams were at the bottom of the league last season but I think we'll both have decent seasons this time."