Ryan Rainey was seventh in the 2007 NW200 Superstock race

The Dundrod man has initially entered for the season opener at Bishopscourt on 15 March and the Easter meetings at the County Down circuit and Kirkistown.

"I have nothing finalised yet but am talking to a few teams in England," said Rainey, who finished seventh in last year's North West Superstock race.

"I really want to ride competitive bikes or nothing at all," he added.

Rainey was the leading Northern Ireland rider in qualifying for last year's North West 200 Superbike race, securing fifth position on the grid.

Soon afterwards, he announced his retirement from the sport, but then reconsidered and took in the closing rounds of the British Superbike championship on a Mark Johns Honda.

He had agreed to ride the same bike in the opening rounds of this year's series but the machine was recently sold.