Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner still has no confirmation of when he will return to action but has taken the bandages off his damaged right ankle and is now putting weight on the battered bone.

The forthright Aussie has admitted he raced at Indianapolis against medical advice after a massive qualifying highside and he has realised that crashing on the injury again could have meant serious damage. Britain's Jonathan Rea is standing in for Stoner at this weekend's Misano round.

"I took the bandages off five days after the operation and the incisions are incredibly small and the swelling is gradually reducing day by day. The doctor said to start putting weight on it almost straight after the op so I can keep the movement up for a faster return, but I have to be very careful with it," said Stoner.

"Of course (daughter) Ally has been keeping me occupied around the house, she is a great distraction for me while I'm laid up and I'm very thankful for that! It's nice to be back in Australia around family and friends at a time like this, everybody has been helping us out and it's been much appreciated.

"I have a check up on Thursday but there is still no confirmation of when I'll be able to return back on track. Like I've always said, I've got my own goals set for my return, but it just depends on the ankle and the recovery. The frustrating thing is that I feel I could have just kept racing but if I had crashed on it again, the damage could have been huge."