McRae recovers after operation.

Colin McRae left hospital last night after a lengthy operation to reset his broken cheekbone, but still insists that he will be fit for the San Remo Rally.

The Scot, who sustained the injury in an horrific crash in Corsica ten days ago, was in theatre for something approaching two hours, as doctors inserted a metal plate and screws around the bone to give it extra strength. The normal procedure with a cheek injury is to try to reform the bone without the aid of additional materials but, given McRae's determination to rejoin the championship fray next weekend, surgeons decided to add the plate for reassurance.

The operation also discovered that there was no damage to either the eye socket or muscles, but established that remnants of McRae's cheekbone may still be in the wound despite thorough cleaning.

Doctors have warned that attempting to wear a crash helmet, particularly with heavily padded cheek areas, could cause severe discomfort to the Scot, but McRae has refused to rule out an entry for San Remo. His Ford team has yet to decide whether the Scot will be present in Italy, however, and has Piero Liatti on standby to move into the second car alongside Carlos Sainz.