Waite has been forced to field a guest rider in a 'select team' this weekend for the double-headed Tyne Tweed Trophy against Newcastle Diamonds.

Waite told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I have been involved in this sport for 35 years and have not seen a situation like this. There is such a shortage."

Pole Stanislav Burza will guest for the Bandits against Newcastle.

However, if Waite cannot find a seventh rider by next Tuesday he has major problems.

He added: "Tuesday is the cut off point to find a final rider.

"If I have not found anybody by then we will not be able to run the following Saturday because you are not allowed to use guest riders in the Premier League and that is when the season begins.

"It is a massive headache and I am searching all over the world to bring someone in. I have been working on this 24/7 for months now.

There is a shortage of riders at the moment. I worked it out the other day and about 23 people have retired from speedway in this country Berwick promoter Peter Waite

"Last season we finished bottom of the league, so this year I was determined to bring in quality riders to make sure we had a decent team and would compete. I hope the fans understand this."

Waite has spoken to 12 riders who he thought would be good enough to fill the final berth in the team and wear the Bandits number four shirt. Among them were Paul Clews and international Andy Smith.

Already recruited are riders from the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland and Hungary, while Scotsman Adam McKinna has joined as a reserve.

Each rider receives an average points rating from the Premier League and a promoter is not allowed to amass a side with a rating of more than 41.5 points.

Waite added: "One rider was going to join us who had a points rating of six and that was changed to eight which caused us problems so we could not sign him.

"There is a shortage of riders at the moment. I worked it out the other day and about 23 people have retired from speedway in this country.

"The increase in travelling costs and fuel has put some people off and that is making it hard for us to recruit, but I will keep looking about and hopefully we will have someone in place in time."