David Howe has been axed by Wolverhampton ahead of Monday’s Midland Shield clash with Birmingham at Monmore.

The club will hold talks with Howe and his representatives within the next 48 hours, to establish whether he will appear for the club again this season.

Howe failed to score in the 53-40 defeat at Coventry on Thursday night. It was that performance which prompted the move by Parrys International Wolves bosses Chris Van Straaten and Peter Adams.

The former Peterborough man, who was a wildcard at last year’s British Grand Prix in Cardiff, is suffering from a dramatic loss of confidence and his average has dipped alarmingly.

Van Straaten said: “We have taken this decision after seeing David’s performance on a track like Coventry, where he has done well in the past.

“The Birmingham meeting presents us with an opportunity to leave him out of the side and we will have a chat about things again over the next few days.

“We had a frank conversation in the aftermath of the Coventry meeting and he is disappointed with the decision, but I’m sure the supporters will understand why we felt we had no alternative but to take this action.”

Van Straaten paid big money for Howe from Peterborough back in 2002, when hopes were high that he would make it as Britain’s next hot prospect.

Monday’s meeting will give Wolves fans the chance to see teenage sensation Tai Woffinden in their colours.

Woffinden, who made his World Cup debut at the age of 17 in the summer, will ride in a team which will also include young Californian Chris Kerr.

Birmingham have drafted in international stars Davey Watt and Eddie Kennett for the meeting, which is sure to attract a bumper crowd.