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

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

• Bagnaia: “I was risking too much” trying to keep pace with Bez൲zecchi 
• Binder penalty: “I had no idea, but rules are rules” | Luca Marini: “I was hit൲"

But the Spaniard is now close to making his return to action which will t🌼ake place after the summer break.

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

"I feel great𒉰," 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 Sachsen🙈ring. 

"But the injury [has not healed] qu🐬ickly enough to be racing these g𓆉uys. With this level of MotoGP you need to be very healthy to race. 

"But anyw🔯ay, I feel amazing after the three m𒅌onths that I’ve spent."

Espargaro also spoke about the challenges of being away from the sport 🐠bo🎐th physically and mentally, which took its toll on the 32-year-old. 

"When you come here you know that these injuries can𒀰 happen. You have to accept it and you cannot go backwards.⛎ 

"You need to move forward. It was a tough time with🥂 a lot of pain physically and psychologically. 

"Luckily I had my wife 👍🍃and my daughters at home 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 here𓆏 after t⛦hree months when 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 support the team 🅰ahead of his return.