The former Repsol Honda rider has been out of action since suffering a horrible Practice crash in Portugal before attempting to ൲make his return at the Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

Espargaro, who broke his jaw in two places, was unable toဣ eat properly for several weeks following the opening round, while eight fractures and an ear injury were also suffered.

• Bagnaia: “I was risking too mu꧂ch” trying t♊o keep pace with Bezzecchi 
• Binder penalty: “I ꧟had no idea, but rules are rules” | Luca Marini: “I was hit"

But the Spaniard is ꦆnow close to making his return to act✨ion which will take place after the summer break.

Despite wanting to take part in the last three Grand Prix, which includes this weekend’s Dutch MotoGP, Espargaro admits he’s sღtill feeling great even though it’s been a small setback to miss out. 

"I feel great," Espargaro told . "Not as great as if I was racing as that is what I was trying for in the last months, to be racing in Sachsenring. 🗹;

"But the injury [has ꦰnot healed] quickly♑ enough to be racing these guys. With this level of MotoGP you need to be very healthy to race. 

"But anywa🌱y, I feel amazing after the three months that I’ve spent."

Espargaro also spoke about the challenges oꦓf being away from the sport both physicꦚally and mentally, which took its toll on the 32-year-old. 

"When you come here you know that these injuries can happen. You have to acc🐼ept it and you cannot go bacꦦkwards. 

"You n💖eed to move forward. It was a tough time with a lot of pain physꦿically and psychologically. 

"Luckily I had m🅷y wife and my daughters at h𒉰ome helping me and cheering for me while I was super sad and down. I’m a lucky guy, let's say. 

"After that crash, to be here after three months whe💞n I thought it would be 6-7 months, I’m pretty lucky."  

Espargaro has been with the GASGAS Tech 3 KTM team this weekend at Assen in a bid to su🔜pport the team ahead of his return.