Cal Crutchlow has vowed to return from the summer break in top form despite carrying an injury.

The Coventry-born rider was in sensational form to take a double victory at Silverstone last time out and looks set to clinch a ride in next year's MotoGP championship in the coming weeks.

But the 24-year-old Sterilgarda Yamaha rider - who remains down in fifth in the overall standings - managed to injure himself during the month away from the track and will not be fully fit at the Nurburgring this weekend.

He said: "I managed to dislocate my knee riding my bicycle over the holiday but it is pretty much back to normal now and will be fine for the races.

"I had a brilliant result at the Nurburgring last year. It would be perfect to repeat the success I had on the R6 Supersport bike on the R1 Superbike.

"I can't wait to get back on the bike again. Finally winning two races at Silverstone was the result of lots of hard work by the team and I.

"We all want to get straight to Germany and hope to do it again. I always find the summer break too long and really miss racing so I'm happy it's time to go again."

At the top of the standings, veteran Max Biaggi is favourite to seal the title on his Alitalia Aprilia and holds a 60-point lead over another Brit, Leon Haslam.

If Haslam fails to finish both races this weekend there is a mathematical chance for Biaggi to claim the crown but Haslam is in no mood to give up just yet.

The Alstare Suzuki rider said: "I've managed 11 podiums this year, had just the one non finish, in America, and only really had the one bad round at Brno.

"But it was a good round for Biaggi so it highlighted my problems even though I got two top 10 finishes that day.

"I'm ready to get down to business now and I'd certainly like to add to my race wins in 2010 when we get to Germany and maybe give Max something to think about for the last couple of rounds."