Factory Aprilia's Eugene Laverty is set to ride in the opening World Superbike free practice session at Phillip Island on Friday after flying his doctor to Australia in order to treat the hand he broke in a testing crash at the track more than a week ago.

The Toomebridge man has undergone five hours of intense treatment every day in order to be as fit as possible for the season opener and will ride in the first session to see how his hand stands up to the physical challenges of the demanding circuit.

“My season has suffered a minor setback following my hand injury in the test last week. Fortunately we have had more than a week off the bike which has allowed the hand to improve a huge amount," said Laverty.

"I have flown my doctor out to Australia to help with my rehabilitation and we have been working constantly on my injury for five hours every day. I feel confident that I will be fit to ride but I guess I will have to wait until Friday to find out. Honestly I feel that Carlos Checa and my teammate Max are out of reach unless I am 100% but it won’t stop me from trying."