British Superbike star Stuart Easton is confident of returning to domestic action with the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team next year and is looking forward to being back on a bike to escape the purgatory that is Jeremy Kyle and the rest of daytime TV.

It is a little over three months since Easton was badly injured in a practice crash at the North West 200 - an accident where he freely admits he was lucky to escape with his life. Now, the Hawick man is ahead of his recovery schedule and raring to start training.

“I’m due back for an x-ray on 30th August and if the bone has healed well, as doctors have predicted it will, I’ll undergo a small operation to shave some bone off the thigh to free a muscle which is sticking to it and preventing my right knee from bending fully. Once my ‘knee bend’ is fully back to normal the plan is to have intensive physio and build up my strength, energy and fitness levels," said Easton.

“I’m feeling so much better now and my weight is climbing back steadily. Progress really has been ahead of schedule though my recuperation is extremely boring – there’s only so much daytime TV you can watch! However I am enjoying watching Thomas the Tank Engine with two year old Finlay and spending valuable time with my wife Claire.

“It’s important just to be patient and keep positive and of course follow medical advice. In terms of 2012, the Kawasaki team have kept in touch and boss Nick Morgan has indicated that he would like to kick start our partnership again next year and undoubtedly I’m looking forward to getting back into top gear – once I’ve been given a clean bill of health.”