Eugene Laverty suffered a fractured hand in a crash during World Superbike Championship testing at Philip Island in Australia on Wednesday.

The Toomebridge rider is returning home for treatment but the factory Aprilia team expect him to be fit for the start of the 2012 series later this month.

Laverty sustained a fracture of the third metacarpal of the left hand after coming off at the first corner.

The 25-year-old was fourth on a Yamaha in his debut season last year.


It is reported that Laverty also banged his head on the track and slapped his right hand hard after falling from his Aprilia RSV4 machine.

Laverty will partner former World Superbike champion Max Biaggi in the factory Aprilia team.

He signed a two-year deal to ride for Aprilia in the World Superbike series in 2012 and 2013.

Laverty won both races at Monza in 2011 and also secured podiums at Silverstone and Magny-Cours.

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