Newport Wasps have signed an Australian Elite League star as the management’s drive to improve the team’s fortunes continues.

The latest recruit is Jason Doyle of the Poole Pirates and Australia and he will spearhead the team alongside captain Leigh Lanham.

The reshuffle means that Swedish rider Kim Nilsson is released after an issue about his availability and that Mark Jones is recalled at the expense of Alex Davies.

Wasps owner Steve Mallett said: “It’s all go at Newport Speedway at present.

“Kim had indicated that he would be missing for several fixtures and I felt that I had to act because we need to be firing on all cylinders in order to pull our season around.

“Jason became available after recently covering for Steve Boxall at Rye House and he is clearly a class act at Premier League level.

“To fit him in we have handed a reprieve to Mark Jones and I’m confident he can now do a good job from the reserve berth.”

Newport had already announced the signing of young Australian Justin Sedgmen who was with Birmingham last season.

Both newcomers will make their Wasps debuts in a Premier League fixture away at Edinburgh on Friday before their home debut at Queensway Meadows this Satur-day evening against Sheffield.