Following his recent split from the Linxcel-Seton Tuning Yamaha team, 2008 British Supersport Championship runner-up Hudson Kennaugh will return to action in place of the injured Chris Martin at Gearlink Kawasaki.

Having claimed three wins and six podiums last season to finish second overall behind Glen Richards, the South African is just eleventh in the 2009 standings after eight rounds with a best race finish of fourth.

Kennaugh was handed the Gearlink ride for Cadwell Park after a test session at Mallory Park on Wednesday.

“We invited Hudson to test with a view to him riding for the team at Cadwell Park and once he acclimatised himself to the bike he posted some very respectable lap times,” added team owner and manager Michael de bidaph. “I am sure he will be an asset to the team and will produce a strong result for us at Cadwell Park.”

“The Kawasaki is a completely different motorcycle for me and it has its positives for sure,” said Kennaugh, who had quit the Linxcel-Seton team to seek a Superbike ride. “It handles amazingly and that is going to be very good at Cadwell Park. It's got a good power delivery and it's very well put together so it's going to be good to ride.”

Martin, winner of round seven at Mallory Park in mid-July, was injured in a huge accident last time out at Brands Hatch, which saw him vault the barrier and sustain fractures to his vertebrae, ribs and ankle.

Team-mate Ben Wilson heads to Cadwell Park holding third in the championship behind Steve Plater and Billy McConnell.