Nick Simmons, who was due to make his debut with the club, revealed that he would be unable to start the season with the Bandits as he was going into hospital for an operation on an old shoulder injury.

That left the Borderers with the unenviable task of trying to line up a suitable replacement at relatively short notice.

Manager Dave Peet, who described it as 'a very frustrating situation,' made numerous calls and eventually he was able to confirm the signing of 21 years-old Anders Andersen, who will join the club on a full loan contract from Glasgow.

Andersen, who comes from Denmark, rode in the Premier League with the Tigers last season, achievimng a 3.74 average, but he failed to retain his place with them for this year as they restructured their side.

He will now join up with his new team-mates at the club's official press and practice this weekend and will go straight into the team for the opening fixture, the Tyne Tweed Trophy clash against Newcastle on March 20.

Simmons was expected to be a big scorer at reserve, but he says that whilst he still wants to race for Berwick, he can't be certain when that will be.

"I might be out for two or three weeks, possibly more, I just don't know." he said.

"I have known for some time that I needed an operation and I had been hoping I would get the call at the start of the year. That would have given me enough time to recover for the start of the season.

"Even if it was a few weeks later, with the challenge matches and Michal (Makovsky's) testimonial, I thought I might have enough time to get back to fitness before the competitive matches got underway.

"But the longer it went on without hearing from the hospital the more I realised there might be a problem.

"I thought I might be able to have more cortisone injections, but my doctor told me the more I have the less effective they will become and the only long-term solution is to have an operation.

"Then to cap it all I got an appointment for March 20 - ironically the same date as Berwick's opening meeting of the season, and I had no option but to let the club know what the situation was."

Speaking before news of Andersen's arrival, Simmons added: "Berwick will do what they have to do, I understand that.

"I don't know how long I am going to be out - I also need an operation on my other shoulder at some point and I don't know when that will be.

"But I still want to ride for Berwick at some stage this year. I also want the supporters to know this is not something of my making. I didn't intend to drop the club in it like this, it's just the way it has turned out."

Speaking after the signing of Anderson Peet said: "It was an awkward situation, coming so close to the start of the season. We could have signed a short-term replacement but Nick knows that we have to do what is best for Berwick Speedway, and that is why we have taken Anders on full time.

"It will take Anders a while to settle into Berwick, we understand that. What we hope is that the fans give him time to find his feet."
Simmons, who has also informed his National League side, the Isle of Wight, about the situation, not unexpectedly, missed last Saturday's launch party at Berwick Holiday Centre, and he says he will not be attending this weekend's press and practice.

Three other Berwick riders also missed the hugely successful eve of season bash.

Adrian Rymel, not long back from his win in the winter-long Argentinian Championships, was busy preparing his bikes for the new season and he will also miss the practice due to a skiing holiday.

Craig Branney was away in France practicing with his brother John after their winter training programme was ruined by the recent snowy weather, and Jade Mudgway was still waiting to fly in from New Zealand, having only just finally gained clearance to ride in Britain in 2010.

"We were waiting on Jade's visa going through," said Peet. "We knew it would take 12 or 13 weeks to process. It was cutting it fine, but I suppose the timing couldn't have been better."