Nicky Hayden back on track at Qatar.

Following his huge qualifying accident, Nicky Hayden returned to the Losail circuit during Sunday evening's warm-up session.

Hayden was launched through the screen of his Desmosedici GP9 by a vicious highside at the end of the 45-minute Qatar qualifying session.

After undergoing initial x-rays at the circuit medical centre, Hayden was taken to a local hospital for further checks, which fortunately revealed no broken bones.

However, the 2006 world champion required three stitches for a cut to his chest and suffered severe pain in his back as a result of the accident.

Hayden got back on his GP9 during the 20-minute warm-up session on Sunday evening, when he completed ten laps and was ranked 16th fastest out of the 18 riders.

Nicky now looks set to make his 100th grand prix start, on his Ducati Marlboro debut, from 16th on the grid in tonight's season-opening race.

Hayden's team-mate Casey Stoner was once again fastest during the warm-up session, albeit by just 0.062 sec from reigning world champion Valentino Rossi. Stoner will start the race from pole position with Rossi second.

Hayden's former Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa and MotoGP returnee Sete Gibernau will also be nursing injuries in the race.