Franco 🌱Morbidelli will undergo an eight-week 'rehabilitation programme' following surgery earlier to repair the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, damaged in recent raining acci🔜dents.

Should the Italian be unable to ride his Petronas Yamaha during that time it would mean he will miss n𓆉ot only this weekend's Assen round, but also ♔the pair of Austrian events at the Red Bull Ring, after the summer break.

Morbidelli's Friday morning operation took one hour. The reigning MotoGP title runner♌-up will stay in hospital in Bologna until Sunday for observation.

"After another painful incide🎃nt with my left knee training on Wednesday I made the decision, together with P✤etronas Yamaha SRT and the VR46 Academy, to fix this issue that I’ve been carrying for too long now," Morbidelli said.

"I underwent surgery this morning with only one idea in m🐈y mind: ꦆto come back in the best form as soon as possible and to be able to perform at 100% on the bike.

"I want to thank Professor Maurilioꦰ Marcacci and his team for their work. I can’t wait to be able to start my recovery process.

"I’ll miss my team, my bike and all the fans during this period, but I’m looking forward to being at the circuits again and enjoying racing. Thank you for all of your messages of support. See 𝓡you soon!"

American Garrett Gerloff is taking Morbidelli's place, along༒side Valentino꧃ Rossi, at Assen.