NEWPORT Speedway promoter Tim Stone has secured his second new signing for the Wasps team and fans will be buzzing to hear Australian Craig Watson is back.

The 25-year-old Australian returns to Hayley Stadium and will captain the 2002 Wasps after being loaned to Newport from Elite League side Poole Pirates where he has spent the last two seasons.

Watson was in the original Newport team when they were re-formed by Stone in 1997 and having spent three seasons with Wasps, he admits he is delighted to get the added job of captain.

With Stone signing Carl Wilkinson from Boston Barracuda-Braves, who was well received by Newport fans when he guested at Hayley Stadium this season, he is delighted to have secured the services of such a well-established rider.

Watson did not have the best of times at Poole, breaking both arms during his first meet for the Pirates and he never really established himself in the Elite League.

But having ridden at Newport for the Australian Kangaroos in their win over the British Lions last month, he admitted he was surprised by the warm reception he got from the crowd.

He said: "I am really excited about coming back to Wasps, I had a really good reception when I rode for Australia and a major factor for me returning are the fans. I have lots of happy memories of Hayley Stadium and getting the captaincy is a special honour, I have always wanted to skipper the Wasps."

With a house in Cwmbran, Watson is almost a local and he admitted being disappointed to see Newport have such a poor season, but is determined his side next season will bring success back to Hayley Stadium.

"I was disappointed for Tim to see how badly the Wasps were doing. What looked like a good team on paper just didn't do so well and didn't click. We will have to turn that around."

Stone hinted more signings will follow, possibly this week and there are hopes the popular Anders Henrikkson will return to Hayley Stadium, though he has not committed himself to Newport.

Stone is keen to get his signings wrapped up by Christmas.