Max Neukirchner could be set to make a switch to Honda machinery in 2010 after being approached by Ten Kate to complete its World Superbike line-up.

With many pieces of the WSBK jigsaw still to fall into place, it is being reported that Ten Kate Honda are set to lure the German rider from Suzuki Alstare to join Jonathan Rea in its line-up.

According to Motorsport Total Ten Kate and Neukirchner have signed a memorandum of understanding, the two-time race winner now being tipped to appear with the team for the first time at the Portimao tests.

"We need to speak with Max and fix the details,” Ronald ten Kate told the website. “More, I can not say yet, but it looks pretty good.”

The revelation comes after an apparent conflict of opinion between Suzuki Alstare and Neukirchner about the rider's fitness, with the team claiming he will be out of action for some months, while Neukirchner himself says he will be fit in time to participate at post-season testing in Portugal.

The latter claim would appear to give credence to a possible appearance with a different team at Portimao, seemingly Ten Kate.

Should the deal be confirmed, Neukirchner would replace both Ryuichi Kiyonari and Carlos Checa following the team's decision to trim its line-up from three to two riders.