John McGuinness' Isle of Man TT return in doubt

John McGuinness was all set to return to action this year.

The resort’s 23-time Isle of Man TT winner has been facing a fitness battle for the 2018 season after breaking his right tibia and fibula after crashing in practice on the Honda Racing Fireblade last May at Primrose corner.

Last month, he expressed his relief after the external fixator was finally removed from his lower leg, with McGuinness walking onto the stage to rapturous applause at the official launch of this year’s TT.

As well as announcing he had signed to ride for Norton at the TT, McGuinness also struck deals to ride a Honda for Michael Dunlop in the Supersport class plus a Kawasaki Supertwin machine for Ryan Farquhar’s KMR team.

Plans were also in place for him to again ride Mugen’s electric bike in the TT Zero as he looks to close in on Joey Dunlop’s record of 26 Isle of Man TT wins.

However, his long-awaited comeback may be in jeopardy after McGuinness revealed on Twitter that he had suffered a ‘setback’ with the injury.

“Not sure what to say, unfortunately my leg has had a bit of a setback,” said the Morecambe Missile, who turned 46 years old on Monday.

“Sorry I’ve not said sooner, I’ve just been trying to get my head around it all first.

“To say I’m gutted is an understatement.”

Practice for the North West 200 gets under way on May 15 while the Isle of Man TT festival begins just 11 days later.