Swan Yamaha's Ian Hutchinson is facing a three-month period of recuperation following an operation last night to fix the leg he fractured in a freak accident which leaves team boss Shaun Muir on the hunt for a replacement rider.

Hutchinson is able to walk unaided after the surgery which saw surgeons attach an external fixator on the left leg. It is the 17th time that bone has been operated on since the 2010 Silverstone crash which almost cost him the limb from the knee down. The fresh break is lower down the bone from the older, far more serious injuries.

Muir, meanwhile, is looking for a replacement for Hutchinson so the team can continue with their testing schedule and at least the first two rounds of the 2012 British Superbike Championship. The likeable Guisborough ex-racer wouldn't be drawn on who that rider could be, though.

"You have to feel for Ian, it is terribly bad luck but we have commitments to the team and the sponsors so I will be looking for someone to replace him for the foreseeable future in BSB. He should remain on course to take part in the international road races," said Muir, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.