World Superbike star Sylvain Guintoli has been linked with a move back to the MCE British Superbike Championship after it has been heavily rumoured he has been in discussions with team owner Shaun Muir in recent days.

The Frenchman, who switched from the seemingly-doomed Liberty Ducati squad to a Pata-backed team of the same manufacturer a month ago, is apparently not averse to a return to the domestic scene as he lives not a million miles away from Donington Park.

Muir would neither confirm nor deny the rumour when bikesportnews.com interrupted a meeting this morning but said: "I'm in discussions with more than one rider for next year and I would be a fool to pass up speaking to someone of Sylvain's calibre."