Dunlop, who competed in the opening National Superstock 1000 round on the Buildbase Suzuki at Donington Park, is also riding his MD Racing Yamaha R6 in the Supersport class at the Cheshire course.

The 31-year-old made a rare Irish short circuit appearance at Kirkistown in County Down earlier this month, where he won both Supersport races for the Crown Prince of Kirkistown title.

Dunlop, who did not race at the Cookstown 100 last weekend in Co Tyrone – the only Irish road race meeting to go ahead in 2020 – was 19th fastest in qualifying on Saturday in the British Supersport class.

Runaway championship leader Rory Skinner set the pace from Brad Jones and Lee Johnston, while Alastair Seeley (GP2) was 12th quickest, Ross Patterson 15th and Richard Kerr 17th. The Sprint race takes place at 5pm on Saturday over 12 laps.

In qualifying for the Superstock 1000 class, Dunlop was 22nd fastest on the Buildbase Suzuki behind fellow TT racers Dean Harrison (Harrison Engineering Kawasaki) and Davey Todd (Honda Racing).

The race is scheduled over 14 laps at 3.10pm on Sunday.