Ellison: The bone was pushed through the skin.

James Ellison boarded the plane for Japan on Monday hoping to be fit to race in this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, having spent five days in hospital last week.

The Brit badly injured his left elbow when he fell while testing the Blata WCM machine in Brno a couple of weeks ago, but hopes to be fit to start practising on Friday morning in Motegi.

It's a very important final six races of the season for the rider who celebrates his 25th birthday on Monday of next week. He's impressed many experts with both his ability and determination on the underpowered WCM and wants to further impress watching teams in the final six races of the 2005 season.

"I was testing tyres in Brno when I was highsided and fell on my left elbow. The bone was pushed through the skin and I spent five days in hospital in Nottingham last week," explained Ellison. "I had two operations where they cleaned the wound and then checked for infection.

"I've also spent two hours a day in an oxygen chamber trying to get the wound to heal quicker. I really will not know until I get on the bike on Friday morning whether I can ride. I'm desperate to compete because I want to continue impressing in these last six races and I've not raced at Motegi before," he added.

First practice for the Japanese Grand Prix takes place on Friday morning.