IF TIM Webster thought he might have a gentle introduction to life in the Premier League he was very much mistaken.

The 22-year-old Stoke Potters number five has already been involved in half-a-dozen fixtures for Edinburgh since agreeing to ride for the Premier League outfit little over two weeks ago. And there are another two meetings this weekend – hundreds of miles apart.

"It's been quite a tough start in many ways," said Webster.

"I know what is needed in the National League but only had a vague idea about the Premier so I knew I would have to test the water at that level to see what I needed to work on.

"You know you have to be sharper out of the gates and into the first turns, and you need to increase your speed.

"But the best way to test if you can cut it at that standard is to get out there and do it."

The call from Edinburgh came sandwiched between Stoke's home and away KO Cup clashes against Dudley.

"It seems they had been looking at my scores for a while and maybe my win in the National League Pairs at Newport sealed the deal," added Webster, who is from Cornwall.

"I had made it clear all season that I want to get into the Premier League and the offer was one I couldn't turn down.

"Edinburgh is hardly just up the road, but I knew if I could get the organisation right and had a good team around me that I could make it work.

"Edinburgh knew all this about me anyway, so if they were prepared to give it a go I wasn't going to turn it down.

"They are a top club in the Premier League and even won the championship twice in three seasons (2008 and 2010), so I had to assume they had done their homework and felt I could make the jump."

Webster had to make arrangements with his 'day job employers' (he is a motor mechanic in Cornwall) for the time off and his first meeting at Edinburgh was on July 1, when he scored paid four as the Monarchs beat Newcastle 53-39.

Webster added: "They made me welcome up there and, once the nerves had settled, I tried to enjoy it and do my best.

"I was pleased to get some points on the board as the track is a bit small and tight. But I've raced on tighter circuits and I don't mind the smaller ones, where you have to turn hard and learn a different style."

The following night may well have seen a fixture clash as Edinburgh were due at Leicester on the same night as Stoke were pencilled in to face King's Lynn. But Stoke were unable to run against the Young Stars due to electrical work being carried out and Webster lined up at Leicester.

"Had Stoke been running I would have been there," he said. "As much as I want this Premier League opportunity, Stoke come first and I have told Edinburgh that if there are any clashes they will have to get a guest.

"I didn't really get going at Leicester. It was another first-time track for me and the track preparation was poor.

"I just didn't get going at all, but it was a new experience."

Then followed a trip home to clean and repair his bikes and a couple of days of work ahead of a busy schedule that saw him booked in for five meetings – Somerset, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Stoke and Newcastle – in as many nights.

As it turned out, inclement weather whittled that programme down, but Webster and dad Mark still ate up the motorway miles as they travelled back and forth.

"I worked Monday and Tuesday and left for Somerset at about 2pm. We were actually changed and had the bikes warmed up when the heavens opened and the meeting was called off," he said.

"We stayed with relatives in Sutton Coldfield, worked on the bikes on Thursday morning and then went off to Sheffield.

"I've done okay there in the National League but Premier League is just different class.

"It's such a big, fast track that the home lads have engines specially set up and it's so hard to compete with them. That's another lesson learned and I'll know better next time I go there."

The Websters slept in the van overnight before heading off to Edinburgh for a meeting which turned out to be another rain-off.

There was nothing they could do other than turn around and head back to the Midlands to prepare for the Stoke meeting and a subsequent trip to Newcastle with Edinburgh.

"The Stoke meeting went okay, three wins and a stoppage just yards from the line which was costly – but I didn't do very well at Newcastle and failed to score," he said.

"It's been hard going and frustrating at times. We'd done 900 miles since leaving on Wednesday and that's before going up to Newcastle and then back down to Cornwall.

"I'm not making a lot of money and there will be more to spend on the bikes and the van apart from losing time at work. But that's the way it is and it's something you have to do to get to the next level.

"I have to work hard if I am going to make this opportunity work, but if I bank some experience, as well as a bit of money, it will be worth it.

"My first priority remains with Stoke and I expect so much from myself at National League level.

"But it was right to seek a Premier League run as well and, while I haven't scored too many points yet, I'm sure it will come once I have settled in."

Webster travelled up to Edinburgh once more last night – for the home leg of a double-header against Plymouth, with the return clash in Devon tonight.

"It's certainly a busy time, but it will be worth it in the end," he said.