NEWPORT Wasps promoter Tim Stone insists Scott Smith's year-long loan switch to fellow Premier League rivals Reading will "mature" him as a rider and as a person.

Stone admits Australian Smith, who joined the Hayley Stadium outfit two years ago, "hasn't fulfilled his potential" since he came to South Wales.

And Stone revealed that Newport will unveil two new riders before the week is out.

The Wasps owner is staying tight-lipped about the pair, only letting slip that one is a Danish rider who rode at Elite League level last season.

Turning to Smith's departure, Stone said: "I believe that a season away from Newport will do Scott Smith the world of good.

"He hasn't quite shown his full potential during his time here so far. We know he has great ability but he needs to mature as a person and a rider.

"Scott needs to apply himself better and I am sure that after a year away from Hayley Stadium he can develop into the rider we know he can be."

Smith is the third rider to leave the Wasps in the close season. Both Lee Dicken and Barry Evans left for Hull at the end of last year.

But Smith is set to make an immediate return to Newport as Reading travel to Hayley Stadium in the first meeting of the 2003 season on March 16 for the opening fixture of a triangular tournament, a competition that also involves Swindon.