BERWICK face their two bitterest long-term northern rivals this weekend with a full squad.

Bandits boss Ian Rae has pulled off a major coup with the signing of 20-year-old Swedish ace Ludvig Lindgren to fill their current line-up.

Tonight, Workington Comets are the visitors to Shielfield Park (7pm) while Bandits travel to Newcastle’s Brough Park tomorrow (6.30pm) for another vital Premier League derby.

“Ludvig is the younger brother of Grand Prix superstar Freddie Lindgren, and has already represented his country at U-21 level,” said a delighted Rae.

“He has spent the last two years racing against the very best riders in the world every week in the Elite League with Wolverhampton. We consider ourselves pretty fortunate to have obtained his agreement to line up at Shielfield Park with immediate effect.

“One of the reasons we’ve been able to bring a rider of Ludvig’s ability here is that, unbeknownst to us, when he got our invitation he immediately phoned our ace Sebastian Alden to ask about our club.

“Seb told him just how much he was enjoying himself since becoming a Bandit, and that young Mr Lindgren should get himself up here right away.”

The Sapphire Engineering Diamonds are now fighting for every league point available after a veritable demolition job performed over Edinburgh last week.

And they know they will have to be right on their mettle to tackle the new Bandits tomorrow.

However, the Byker lads start their weekend action tonight at the Newport Wasps way down in South Wales, starting at 7pm.