Swan Yamaha's Ian Hutchinson is staring down the barrel of another season on the sidelines as another operation on his badly-injured right leg has left him with a minimum seven-month recuperation period before he can start to get race fit.

The Bingley man, who had been hoping to be back for this year's Macau Grand Prix, has had a section of bone removed from his leg and another external fixator added as well as an orthopedic cement in the join.

Doctors are hopeful the bone will grow and eventually knit together but it will be a lengthy process. Hutchinson also has a permanent drain in the leg which removes any infection that may be present.

"Ian's physical state is our primary concern and it looks like he won't be able to take part in any racing for a majority of next year, which is a huge shame for him, for Swan Yamaha and for his thousands of fans around the world," said team boss Shaun Muir, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

"After a long conversation with Ian, I have offered him a role in the team for next season but it looks like I will have to replace him for the roads so will be actively looking for a rider or riders should I decide to run two bikes for the internationals next year."