NEWPORT Wasps ace Frank Smart is battling to be fit to ride against the Isle of Wight at Hayley Stadium on Sunday.

The all-action Aussie (pictured) damaged his back in a fall in the 45-44 victory over Glasgow Tigers last week and faces a fitness test later today.

"It's freeing up as each day goes by and we're very hopeful it's bruising and nothing else," said Newport promoter Tim Stone.

"Frank has been having physio all week, he knows his limitations and he'll know the right decision to make."

Rye House asset Joel Parsons will again turn out for the Wasps after scoring 3(+1) against Glasgow while skipper Craig Watson will turn out after guesting for Coventry for the first time this year on Saturday evening.

The Wasps are expecting one of their toughest tests on Sunday when the Isle of Wight will include Premier League riders' champion Adam Shields, vastly experienced England Test rider Ray Morton and Danny Bird, currently attracting the attention of several Elite League clubs.

Shields is a special talent who has been doubling up with Eastbourne in the Elite League and has won many admirers. Last week he registered a six-ride 18-point maximum at Sheffield, one of the hardest places to visit.

"This will be Shields' third week in a row riding at Newport," said Stone. "He guested for us against Sheffield a fortnight ago (scoring 14 points) and finished second in the Welsh Open last week, so he'll certainly know his way around the place.

"The Isle of Wight (who followed up a 46-44 win at Reading on Monday with a 61-29 victory, their sixth from six at home, over Rye House on Tuesday) are a very powerful team.

"Both teams have a lot of respect for each other and I'm sure this will be a terrific meeting. When we went to their place we lost by just a point so there's everything to play for on Sunday."

Newport Mavericks are also in action on Sunday in a Conference double header after their 68-22 defeat by Boston last week.

Jamie Westacott failed to appear for the match and Stone said: "As yet I have had no explanation."

The Mavericks are at Peterborough (tapes up 12 noon) before making the forty-minute drive to Maidenhall for a 6pm start.

Mavericks: S Pegler, D Minall, D Hughes, J Theobold, C Wilkinson (RR),T Rowlett, AN Other.