STOKE promoter Dave Tattum is waiting to attend the National League annual meeting before finalising his 2012 team-building plans.

The meeting is scheduled to go ahead this month, but no date has been set.

"There are numerous rumours at this time of the year about teams either joining or pulling out of the league, so we are waiting for the annual meeting to get some confirmation about the numbers and competitions," explained Tattum, pictured below.

"We know Newport have definitely withdrawn, but there are rumours that Lakeside may run a team this year.

"We just need the annual meeting to go ahead so we can finalise answers to these questions and then move on with our planning."

Tattum still has two team places to fill after confirming the signings of newcomers Ashley Birks and Richie Worrall, along with 2011 Stoke riders Jaimie Pickard, Ben Reade and Tony Atkin.

"We have just over six points to play with to come in under the 40-point limit, and filling those two positions are just as important as bringing in a number one," he stressed.

"We have been looking at various options, but have yet to make a decision.

"Hopefully, we can do that sooner rather than later, but it is still early yet.

"There is no panic to finish off the team."

Stoke have lost James Sarjeant, Tim Webster, Gareth Isherwood and Simon Lambert from the side who finished runners-up in the National League KO Cup and were knocked out of the league championship at the semi final stage, on both occasions by Mildenhall.