Monster Yamaha's Colin Edwards has been ruled out of the Valencia MotoGP round next weekend, the last with his current team, as injuries sustained in the crash which claimed the life of Marco Simoncelli require surgery on Tuesday.

The Texan has multiple small fractures to the top of his left humerus bone, damnage to cartilage around the tip of the same bone for which he will go under the knife. X-rays have shown he has bruising but no fractures on his wrists and right heel. His team are considering replacement rider options and AMA Champion Josh Hayes will be in Valencia as he is due to test the bike on Monday after the race.

“Firstly, I want to thank everybody for all their messages of support since Sunday. The support and love has been overwhelming and it has been a great comfort to me at this difficult time. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Marco and I will miss him a lot, as will the entire MotoGP family. I watched Marco's funeral yesterday and I really wish I could have been there. I wanted to go but unfortunately my injuries meant I was unable to travel," said Edwards.

"I know Valentino spoke to Marco's family on my behalf and I thank him for that. It was a great service and a fitting celebration of his life. I also wanted to be in Valencia next week to give my support to MotoGP, but it is not going to be possible because of the surgery I need on my left arm.

"The top of my left humerus bone has got multiple small fractures but the cartilage that is around the top of the bone has been pulled off. The surgery will anchor the cartilage back to the bone but there is no nerve damage, so I should be 100 per cent in about four weeks."