Factory BMW's Leon Haslam says there is a slim chance of being able to race at the Phillip Island World Superbike season opener this weekend and he will go out in the first qualifying session tomorrow just to try and set a time.

The Derbyshire man underwent surgery in Melbourne earlier today to screw his right tibia back together and also receive treatment for other, smaller bones he broke in both feet. The swelling from the operation is the main obstacle now.

“My plan is to try and do two or three laps on Friday afternoon to put a qualifying time in – just in case it rains on Saturday morning. I’ll know pretty much straight away if I’ll be able to complete the races on Sunday," said Haslam.

“The crash was just a big highside and you always run the risk of landing on your heels which I did and was therefore a bit unfortunate to suffer the breaks. “I’d like to thank the surgeon, Mr David Blackney in Melbourne, for getting me in and for the work he’s done to my leg. That is the only problem really, the breaks in my foot are not too much of a concern.

“They also kept the trauma to the area to a minimum during surgery so there is a slim chance I may be able to race this weekend. I’ll have to see how it goes overnight."