PR Kawasaki's Simon Andrews has undergone a fourth operation on the leg he badly broke at Snetterton last year and doctors say he is now on course to be fully fit for the British Superbike season opener at Brands Hatch in April.

The Evesham man, who is yet to confirm his road racing plans for 2012, went back under the knife just Christmas eve to have a second bone graft. Surgeons found a two millimetre gap on X-rays so had to take more bone from Andrews' hip to plug the gap. However, the tibia had knitted far better than expected, which buoyed Andrews' hopes.

"I was a bit disappointed to have to have surgery again but when they got in there, they found most of the bone had knitted very well and much faster than anyone thought. There was a small gap which had to be filled at the front, so a bit more bone was taken from my hip," said Andrews, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.

"That has made it a bit difficult for walking again but I'm pushing through and I will soon be able to get over to the Isle of Man to get into some real physio with Isla Scott. For the next three weeks, though, it is just rehab with my Neurotech leg stimulator and light exercise.

"Everyone involved is 100 per cent committed and confident that I will be fit for the season start and I should be able to go testing in March. With regard to the roads, I have some news but it isn't all confirmed until next week so I will just leave you hanging…"