HM Plant Honda rider Steve Plater has undergone a successful operation to plate the front of his broken vertebrae. The operation took place in Nottingham on Wednesday last week and the doctors were so pleased with his progress that he was able to come home to Woodhall Spa near Lincoln on Friday.

The injury was the result of the high speed crash during practice for the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. Initially it was thought he came away from the accident with a broken arm but once back home he underwent an MRI scan that showed up a broken vertebrae in his neck.

Plater will return to the hospital on Thursday when he will have the second operation to plate the back of the vertebrae.

“I am really pleased to be able to come home,” said the affable Lincolnshire rider. “It is nice to be able to get out in the fresh air as I have been cooped up in hospital for over a week. Everything went very well on Wednesday and to be able to come home is great. I have to go back for another operation on Thursday and then will begin my recovery.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent their best wishes via text, email and cards etc. It is very encouraging to know that I have so much support.”