NEWPORT's Ben Howe has the chance to meet up with his new team-mates this weekend when the 2002 Wasps meet to prepare for the season.

Australians Craig Watson, Frank Smart, Ashley Jones and Scott Smith will join Lee Dicken, Carl Wilkinson and Barrie Evans as they meet up on Saturday morning to take part in an in-house practice session.

Howe has been brought in to replace the injured Jones, who is out with a broken arm, and is a firm favourite among the Newport fans.

The ex-Elite League rider was forced to miss the whole of the 2001 season after suffering a bad arm injury, but turned out at the club's New Year Classic at the beginning of January.

But the Wasps are now ready to go and with new skipper Craig Watson at the helm, the Hayley Stadium outfit are looking to make a bright start when they take on Reading on Sunday, March 17.

Anders Henriksson is to make a shock return to the Premier League with Reading. The Newport star was expected to stay in Sweden, but has now agreed to join the Racers as a replacement for Tomas Topinka, who has been refused a work permit.

Racers promoter Pat Bliss said: "He is raring to go for us and if anything he could be stronger than Tomas Topinka at home."