Laverty out after crash, Easton withdraws.

Daily Star Cup leader John Laverty will miss the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike weekend at Knockhill after crashing heavily in first free practice.

Looking to move another step closer to the Cup title this weekend, Laverty had started the session remarkably well, mixing it with the leaders until he came off his North West Ducati at Hislop.

Thought to have been knocked briefly unconscious, Laverty, who leads the Cup standings by 135 points, required medical attention at the circuit and has now been ruled out for the remainder of the weekend.

He will be joined on the sidelines by Stuart Easton, who had made a tentative BSB return earlier today following the crash that injured his wrist at Snetterton two months ago.

Although he completed the session, the MSS Discovery Kawasaki rider feels it is still too early for him to be competitive. The team will still be running two bikes though, with Billy McConnell being joined by Steve Mercer.