Rossiter faces long lay off.

Alun Rossiter faces a lengthy operation next week, when a top surgeon tackles the job of rebuilding the racer's right knee that was completely wrecked in a high speed crash at the beginning of September.

Rossiter, who has been confined to Poole Hospital since the incident, will be transferred to Bournemouth's Nuffield Hospital at the beginning of next week, where he will undergo surgery to stabilise and then restructure the severe ligament damage caused as a result of the accident.

"It's been a difficult couple of weeks" said Rossiter "as I thought at first that I wasn't that seriously hurt. However I have since been told that my knee is in a pretty bad way and that I will need major surgery on my ligaments before I will be able to go home. At present, my knee will not support any weight at all and I have been told that the cruciate and lateral ligaments will have to be completely rebuilt. It looks as though I am going to be out of action for some considerable time."

Specialists have also told Rossiter that he will need a lengthy period of rehabilitation before he can make any decision regarding a return to racing, leaving the Swindon - based rider uncertain as to his future in the sport.

"I'm not making any rash decisions at present" he said "right now I am only thinking about what is right for me and my family."