2012 Crescent Suzuki Worldℱ Superbike rider John Hopkins has had part of his 💃right ring-finger removed.

The American has been battling to heal from injuries suffered when he fell durin🐼g practice for the Brno MotoGP round, in mid-August - but still came within inches of winning the 2011 British Superbike title.

However Hopper was then forced to withdraw from a planned MotoGP return asꦆ a wild-card at Sepang in October, after continued problems with the finger.

"The screws and the plates in the finger have come apart and there's just no movement in the knuckle at all, so I cannot bend the finger," he said at Sepang. "If I get any furtherඣ damage to the injury it could result in amputation and certainly don't want that!"

Unfortunately, partial amp൲utation 🍰was to prove the only option.

Writing on his official Twitter page @JHopper21, Hopkin🙈s posted this picture with the following ജexplanation:

"Well after 6 su𝔉rgeries & Thousands of $'s spent on Rehab etc it's a shame it had to come to this...

"Good news is that it already feels better than it has for monthꦓs & I'll be ready to ra🌜ce in Phillip Island for Rnd. 1! No motivation lost!"

He later joked: "With it being Friday the 13th I should have askꦕed the Doctor to wear the mask and dress up like "Jason"🌌 as they chopped the finger ; ) Ha Ha"

Hopkins will be joined by Leon Camier for Crescent's first full WSBK season, which begins at Phillip Isla🍨nd Australia on February 26.

"Just been chatting 🧜to @JHopper21 who's feeling really positive after surgery today and looking fo🔯rward to @sbk_official RD1 Phil. Island" Tweeted Crescent team manager Jack Valentine.

Ho꧙pkins joins the ไlikes of Barry Sheene and Troy Bayliss in having part of a finger removed.