Marc Marquez should be able to race for Repsol Honda at the Grand Prix of Spain this weekend despite an operation on his finger, according to his doctor.
Dr Xavier Mir, who operated on the two-time world champion, is confident the swelling around Marquez's injured digit will have eased enough for him to take to the grid in Jerez – a race he won in 2014.
The 22-year-old - who is 30 points off championship leader Valentino Rossi after his crash with the Italian in Argentina - needed a titanium plate inserting to stabilise the displacement of his little finger on the left hand following an accident on a dirt track last week.
"Treatment during the next few days before Jerez should reduce inflammation, so he can race there," Dr Mir told MotoGP.com.
"It's a shame he got hurt but he was lucky it's the left hand - in MotoGP the clutch lever is not used that much.
"It's mainly used for the start of the race, so this kind of helps us so there's less stress on the injury.
"I can't say he will be 100% fit, but we always see riders push their limits so I'm sure he will be able to do well!"
Marquez's team-mate Dani Pedrosa could also return in Spain following the arm surgery that has seen him miss the last two races.