PICS: Gino Rea reveals surgery worry after crash

Gino Rea says he could be doubtful for the second round of the 2011 World Supersport Championship after revealing he will probably require surgery on the thumb he injured in an accident during practice at Phillip Island.

The Step Racing rider fell heavily from his Honda during the opening practice session, leaving him with torn tendons in his thumb.

Though he will attempt to race this weekend, Rea fears will have to undergo surgery on Monday to correct the damage and with an estimated recovery period of 40 days, he concedes he may have to miss the second round at Donington Park as a result.

"I'm frustrated as you can imagine," said Rea, who was still able to post the 11th best time in provisional qualifying. "We have worked hard to get things to where we are and I was feeling good. I will try to ride tomorrow, I need to go faster in the qualifying as 11th on the grid in not where we should be.

"Although the time are very close and I know we could have gone quicker. We will see what happens tomorrow. On Monday we will see a hand surgeon and decide when to have the thumb operated on. I really don't want to miss Donington."

To see pictures of the accident, CLICK HERE