HM Plant Honda boss Havier Beltran has said he thinks Supersport stand-in rider Josh Brookes is capable of a podium finish at Brands Hatch British Superbikes this weekend.

Brookes, who rides for Stiggy Honda in World Supersport, has been drafted in to replace the injured Steve Brogan, who is still suffering from broken bones in his foot.

"We wanted to put a rider of Josh’s calibre on for the final round as we wanted some feedback from a seasoned World Supersport campaigner," said Beltran.

"Billy [Mellor] did a good job, but it was always our plan to put someone on the bike at Silverstone who wouldn’t affect the championship points too much. With Josh we feel we have a rider who is more than capable of putting it on the podium.”

Brookes added: “I’m quite looking forward to this weekend as I’ve never ridden in the domestic UK championship before, so it will be good to see how it compares to the World Supersport series.

"I did well in Australia and since moving to Europe it’s been interesting how tough it’s been before I got that ‘good feeling’ that I used to have when racing Down Under. It’s going to be like racing at home, as I live most of the year in the UK and the HM Plant Honda guys are a bit less foreign than I’m used to working with, too. Plus the paddock is full of Aussies! It’s going to be cool to get on the HM Plant Honda CBR600RR and see how it is.”