Tom Brown, who has travelled the length and breadth of Britain to pursue his speedway dream, would love the chance to come homer.

The 20-year-old, who has overcome serious illness and injury, has thrown his helmet into the arena for a reserve berth with Newport Wasps as the Premier League season approaches.

Brown said: "Obviously, over the years I would have liked the chance. Now, I have just got to play the waiting game."

He has ridden in the Premier League with Berwick and Workington and now defunct Trelawny while also linking with the likes of Stoke and Coventry in the Conference League.

Tim Stone, Newport promoter, said: "Tom must remember he was offered a team place but he chose Trelawny. However, despite ill-informed speculation, I have not made a decision for the number seven berth and when I am ready, then I will."

Tom's father Terry said: "At the time we thought it best that, after breaking his back, if he didn't go well, he didn't want to let down his home town crowd."

It really has been a career of have bike, will travel, but now the Newport-asset would jump at the chance to ride for the Wasps and Terry added: "We are hoping that Tim will think of him in his plans."

And to keep himself fit during the winter Brown has not only been riding at the Sunday training schools at the Hayley Stadium but also travelling to Scotland for quad-bike racing.

Brown, now working at two jobs to help finance his speedway, added: "I am going up again this weekend and it's a good way of keeping myself fit."

But Brown faces strong opposition from at least two other riders, regulars in the Mavericks - Australian Karlis Ezergailis and Karl Mason, who held one of the reserve berths for most of last season and shone in the New Year Classic. He had a full meeting, taking the place of former Newport rider Chris Neath who had to withdraw late in the day because of illness.

Mason only failed to gain a place in two of his five rides, finishing ahead of Stuart Robson and Robbie Kessler in one.

It's likely to be at least a couple of weeks before Stone decides because he is still finalising a deal with Kristian Lund while Craig Watson, the ace in his pack, is due back from Australia next month.