Vermeulen will attempt to ride at Portimao on Friday despite a knee injury.

Queenslander Chris Vermeulen will attempt to contest this weekend’s second round of the Superbike World Championship at Portimao in Portugal after receiving the green light from medical staff at the circuit this week.

Vermeulen suffered a scary high-speed fall at Phillip Island’s opening round in February, injuring his knee and forcing him to take a four-week break since the season opener.

“The doctors at the Clinica Mobile have already said it is okay for me to race,” Vermeulen revealed today. “On Sunday it is going to be four weeks since the accident and really I need two months for everything to heal properly.

“I sat on the bike today for the first time and it is a little difficult to get my knee into position, but we can lower the footpeg and raise the seat, do whatever we can to help that. The Clinica Mobile will tape up my knee and give me some injections for the pain. I am going out for practice on Friday morning to see what I can do. I am sure it is going to be possible to ride.”

While Vermeulen is optimistic for the Friday practice sessions, it remains uncertain whether he’ll be able to brave the pain for three days straight over the weekend.