British Superbike star Josh Brookes has been asked to stand in for the injured John Hopkins at the opening World Superbike round at Phillip Island.

The Tyco Suzuki man will race for Jack Valentine in the Fixi Suzuki squad alongside old mucker Leon Camier. Hopkins should miss the first race after breaking a bone in his hand in a highside yesterday.

"I was sorry to hear John Hopkins is injured but very happy to get the call from my team to say Paul Denning will have me stand in at Phillip Island," Brookes Tweeted this evening.