Thumbs up: Eugene Laverty recovers in hospital after his crash in Thailand on Sunday

Eugene Laverty gave a thumbs up from his Bangkok hospital bed, showing he's good spirits and looking forward to a May comeback in World Superbikes after his crash in the Thai round at Buriram on Sunday.

Toomebridge man Laverty is resigned to missing the next three rounds of the championship due to his injuries.

Laverty came off his Milwaukee Aprilia in the second race at the Chang International Circuit and was struck by another competitor.

He was treated at Buriram Hospital, but was later flown by helicopter to hospital in Bangkok on Monday.

His wife Pippa issued a statement yesterday, revealing the 31-year-old had suffered two fractures of his pelvis, which will 'heal without surgical intervention'.

Laverty, though, did have a small operation on Sunday night to repair some internal injuries.

Laverty says he now hopes to return to action in time for his home round of the championship at Donington Park, which will take place from May 25-27.

"I'm obviously very disappointed that I will be forced to miss some races so early in the season, but I count myself lucky that my injuries are not worse," the Northern Irishman said.

World champion Jonathan Rea won race one in Thailand and finished fourth on Sunday to move to the top of the table.

The Larne man - who in 2017 became the first competitor to win the title in three consecutive years - leads Ducati's Marco Melandri by two points and is aiming to become the joint most successful rider in the history of the championship by winning a fourth world crown this year, which would see him draw level with Carl Fogarty.

The championship moves to Europe next month for a run of five races, starting with round three at Motorland Aragon in Spain from April 13-15.

Jim Gracey