Injured British Superbike star Stuart Easton has been given a deal to race with Paul Bird's team in the series of his choosing next year while recuperating in the Royal Belfast Hospital.

Bird has been a long-time supporter of the Hawick man, who is due to go under the knife to pin his pelvis and leg on Friday after last week's massive NW200 crash, made Easton the offer the day after his accident as he doesn't want the current MSS Kawasaki star to be worrying about his future.

"Stuart was well on course to be one of the main contenders in the British Superbike Championship this year and at the time of his accident was lying in third place just six points off the lead so it’s a cruel blow that this has happened," said Bird, who runs the official Kawasaki World Superbike team.

"It’s going to be a long and painful road ahead for him and the last thing he needs to be worrying about is whether or not he’s got a ride so we will provide him with a competitive bike for next season in whichever Championship both Stuart and the team decide upon and feel he’ll be most competitive in.

"We are all devastated at what has happened but the first thing is to get Stuart fit again and back on a bike as soon as possible. We are working on bringing a brand new sponsor in too so hopefully we can announce that in due course.”