John Hopkins has been given the all-clear by his hand surgeon in Amer🅰ica and will join Crescent Fixi Suzuki team-mate Leon Camier for this weekend's second round of the 2012 World Superbike Championship at Imola.

Hopkins,♐ who broke his hand during the team's first test at Phillip Island in Australia last month and missed the season opener, has flown to the UK to join the team and prepare for his 2012 race debut.

"I am so pleased to get the all-clear and cannot wait to get on the bike again," said Hopkins, who has batt🌌led hand injurieꩲs since August of last season and had part of a finger amputated over the winter.

"I had been given strict instructions not to do any riding this week, which has been a bit frustrating, but I h🐼ave occupied my time well with physiotherapy, tr♋aining and numerous spells in the hyperbaric chamber.

"All of this has helped me to recover quickly and I have no doubt that I will be as fit as can be at 𒉰Imola.

"It's been very busy recently. On Tuesday, I was in the hyp๊erbaric chamber and then drove three hours each way to see my nutrition doctor in Palm Springs. Before that I have really been putting in the hours on my mountain bike and also on the cardio machines in the gym.

"I am really happy with my hand, how well it has been healing; and the range of movement I hav🏅e got. When I saw the doctor on Wednesday, he told me that the bone was fully healed and everyth🔯ing was OK and I could start riding again.

"I was hoping to get on my dirt bike before leaving for the UK but I have just sold my house and there's loads of stuff to sort 🌌out, but I'll try and fit in a ride somehow before Imola.

"I am really looking forward to catchiꦿng up with everybody at Crescent Fixi Suzuki and getting back to the racetrack. 𝐆I've missed it, but I feel ready and raring to go."

Team manager Jack Valentine is naturally pleased to have Hopkins back in🔴 a🥀ction.

"Obviously we're all delighted to have John back with us and it gives the whole team a boost," he said. "From wha🧸t his doctor says, the hand sh♏ould be more-or-less at full strength.

"I would liꦅke John to take the first day or so in Imola steadily, build up gradually and get race fit as soon as he can without any stress. I am looking forward to Imola and a positive weekend, with good,ꦰ solid results."

BSB rider Josh Broo📖kes replaced Hopkins at Phillip Island, where Camier gave Cresc🧔ent a best finish of twelfth in race two.