WEYMOUTH Wildcats are without their two schoolboy sensations Ben Barker and Chris Johnson for tonight's clash with Conference League Wimbledon GMB Dons at the Wessex Stadium (7.30pm).

The 15-year-olds miss the first leg of the Trevor Hedge Racing Autumn Challenge Cup because both are in action for Oxford against Swindon this evening.

In to replace Barker comes Carmarthen's Dean Felton while Newport Mavericks' Karl Mason picks up Johnson's reserve berth.

Promoter Brian White said: "All the talk over the past few weeks has been about Ben and Chris and no one can argue with their tremendous talent. But both lads have commitments in the Conference League with Oxford and so it's them who have first say on where their boys ride.

"There's no question we'll miss the pair of the them, but it does at least give me the chance to track some new riders and in Dean and Karl we've got two very useful replacements."

While Mason is a young rider just making his way in the sport, Felton's a man who has been around for plenty of years and is already well known to Weymouth followers after reaching the third-place play-off in the recent Wessex Rosebowl Championship.

"Dean rode the track bril-liantly that night," added White, "and I'm sure we'll see him taking a few points on his return. He's been a consistent performer in the Premier and Conference Leagues over the years and his experience will be an asset.

"Karl's at the other end of the scale in as much that he's a youngster on the way up and I know he'll be keen to impress on his Weymouth debut."

Meanwhile, having been forced to operate a rider-replacement against the Bristol Bulldogs on bank holiday Monday, Somerset Rebels' asset Paul Candy will wear the Wildcats' number two jacket.

White said: "In terms of opposition, this will be the strongest side we've faced. Wimbledon were one of the biggest names in speedway at one time but, like us, they were forced to close down a few years ago.

"They re-formed last season and are now a well established Conference League outfit and I expect them to give us our toughest test yet. With riders like Joel Parsons, Andre Cross and Buzz Burrows in their line-up, it's going to be an interesting meeting."

Wildcats: 1 Danny Warwick, 2 Paul Candy, 3 Dean Felton, 4 Brendon Mackay, 5 Justin Elkins, 6 Karl Mason, 7 Nathan Irwin

GMB Dons: 1 Joel Parsons, 2 James Clement, 3 Peter Collyer, 4 Andre Cross 5 Buzz Burrows, 6 Chris Hunt, 7 Matt Cambridge.