Gigi Galli is expected to be discharged from hospital today [Wednesday] following ꧃the high-speed accident on last weekend's Rallye Deutschland which left him with 🎀a broken leg.

Galli crashed his Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 on day🧜 one's SS5 - the 23.04-kilometre Grafschaft Veldenz 2 test - and, after being airlifted to hosp🌟ital with a fracture to his left femur, required surgery.

"[The crash] was a really bad 🍷moment," Galli said, "The organisers did a good job though, and the assistance - both immediately after the accident and here at the hospital in Trier - was very good. The Ford Focus proved to be very strong and the seat absorb💞ed the impact quite well.

"I hav✤e to thank [co-driver] Giovanni [Bernacchini], who was really quick in getting help. Unfortunately, I'll have to stop for a while now, but I hope to recover soon. Wednesday I'll be going home and than we'll see [how my recovery goes].

"I want toไ thank everyone for their support too and for the many greetings they have sent me."

How long Galli will be out is currently uncertain, although doctors have estimated that he will be unable to walk on his left leg for six to eight weeks and will require physiot▨herapy after that.

As such, he may not compete again this season, although there is perhaps a slight outside chance that he could return 🎃for the Wales Rally GB, as that doesn't run until 5-7 December.

"We are glad that Gigi's operation went well," said Ford/M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson on Saturday, "He has had three pins put into his left leg. My wife has already been to the hospital to visit him. He is smiling and seems to be happy but, of course, hꦬe will be out for a long time - the next three toꦚ four events, if not for the whole season."

Francois Duval, meanwhile, will stand-in for Galli on the Rally New Ze🤪aland, having been confirmed by the Stobart Ford team on Tuesda🐬y. What will happen for the remaining rounds in Spain, Corsica, Japan and Wales is not yet known.