2012 Crescent Suz๊uki World Super🐭bike 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 during practice for the Brไno MotoGP round, in mid-August - but still came within inches of winning the 2011 British Superbike title.

However Hopper was then force𝐆d to withdraw from a planned MotoGP retur🔜n as a wild-card at Sepang in October, after continued problems with the finger.

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

Unfortunat🤡ely, partial amputation was to prove the only option.

Writing on hi꧃s official Twitter page @JHopper21, Hop🉐kins posted this picture with the following explanation:

"Well aftꦇer 6 surgeries & 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 months & I'll be ready to race in Phillip Island for Rnd. 𝔉1! N꧅o motivation lost!"

He later joked: "With it being Friday the 13th I should have asked the 🍬Doctor to we🤡ar 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 Island Australia on February 26.

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

Hopkins joins the likes🌳 of Barry Sheene and Troy Bayliss in having part of a finger removed.