World Supersport rider Josh Brookes will take Steve Brogan's seat on the HM Plant CBR600 at Brands Hatch British Superbikes this weekend, prompting speculation he might be on his way to the championship.

Aussie Brookes currently rides for the Stiggy Honda squad, which has just snaffled Leon Haslam away from HM Plant, and comes to Brands off the back of a podium at Magny Cours last weekend. Brookes also won the Donington Park round earlier this summer. Brogan is still suffering with broken bones in his foot.

HM Plant bosses Neil Tuxworth and Havier Beltran are known to be talking to riders from across the world in their search to replace Haslam and Cal Crutchlow, who is off to the factory Yamaha World Supersport team.