WEYMOUTH Doonan Wildcats will be without heat leader Jay Herne for tonight's final Conference League fixture at Rye House (7pm).

The Wildcats will move up to second with victory, but more importantly it would give them huge momentum ahead of next weekend's two-legged play-off semi-final against the Plymouth Devils.

However, they will face a tough task this evening. Not only is Herne unavailable due to Premier League commitments with Birmingham but the Cobras have strengthened their line up with the inclusions of Daniel Halsey and Rob Mear as they attempt to finish their mediocre campaign on a high.

The Wildcats will have to use the rider replacement facility in Herne's absence.

They were initially hoping to draft in Luke Priest but the League co-ordinator has controversially barred the rider from competing, a decision that has left a bitter taste with both the 23-year-old and chairman Phil Bartlett.

Tim Webster, who returned to action last week against Exeter, was also a candidate to replace the Aussie ace but he is out of the country undergoing further recuperation from the broken ankle that kept him out for seven weeks.

Wildcats' chairman Phil Bartlett said: "Now Luke has finished his Premier League commitments we tried to put him back in the team but the League said no.

"Apparently he is eligible to ride for any other Conference team but not for us which is something I do not understand but there is nothing we can do.

"As for Tim he is in France at the moment but he will be back next week and available for the play-off semi-final.

"Today is going to be very tough. Rye House have drafted in two Premier League riders in Halsey and Mear, and with Jay unavailable we are at a distinct disadvantage.

"But the main thing is that we come back injury free and with no mechanical problems."

The Wildcats travel to Plymouth next Friday before hosting the Devon outfit the following night at the Wessex Stadium (7.15pm).