Hawick racer Stuart Easton is determined to make the MCE British Superbike top-six and secure a place in the 2012 Showdown, starting with this weekend's t double header at Brands Hatch.
The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki man missed the last two rounds after having an operation on his hip to remove metalwork insterted after that North West 200 crash and a spill in the non-championship Silverstone 200 didn't help matters.
"It's vital I make my comeback this weekend as the 36 points I'm off a Showdown place is recoverable at present, but I can't concede any more ground. I certainly haven't given up on my chance to be in the Showdown but I'm realistic and it's going to be hard," said Easton.
"My knee is feeling much better and I was told that the ligament wasn't damaged which meant it just needed time to heal. The month off has done the trick, hopefully, so I'm looking forward to this weekend as I love the GP circuit and we can start to turn things around."
