rider Karl Mason is out of the Knock-out Cup semi-final, first leg, meeting with Weymouth at the Wessex Stadium tomorrow night.

Mason, who recently won his way back into the Wasps team, suffered knee ligament damage in a heavy fall at home to Premier League champions-elect Rye House on September 10.

Now the 19-year-old, doubling up with Mavericks, faces an operation on his left knee after making visits to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport on Tuesday and yesterday.

Mason said: "I have got to go in for an operation on Friday morning. They think it is likely to be a torn cartilage, but they will take a look with a camera. I can't straighten the leg at the moment."

Although the season is coming to an end Mason hopes that he will be able to make a return. He added: "I don't know yet - I hope not. It depends on the results of the operation."

The injury was yet another blow for Newport, whose season has been bedevilled by injuries, and promoter Tim Stone said: "Obviously I am very disappointed that we have finished bottom, but it was mainly due to an impossible injury situation."

Carl Warwick - older brother of number three Danny - returns to the Mavericks line-up for the Weymouth meeting. He was not available for the Conference League meeting with Boston at King's Lynn on Sunday because of a moto-cross meeting.

Peter Towersey, Mavericks team boss, explained: "When we signed Carl it was on the understanding that he had prior engagements and on Sunday it was a big open moto-cross meeting."

If the Mavericks can reach the final it would be a lift for Newport, and Towersey added: "We should have a reasonable chance at Weymouth."

Carl, who was at Weymouth last season, comes back for Russell Barnett.

Mavericks: Karlis Ezergailis, Karl Mason (rider replacement), Danny Warwick, Carl Warwick, Lee Dicken, Billy Legg, Sam Hurst.

l Rye House will be crowned Premier League kings tonight if closest rivals Berwick lose at Sheffield tonight. But if they win, then Rye House will need to win their final meeting at Somerset. Tonight's meetings Craven Shield: Ipswich v Poole 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30. Premier League: Sheffield v Berwick 8.30. British Under-15 Championship: Sheffield 6.45. Conference League: Oxford v Stoke 7.30.