Image: Supplied.

An Australian Grand Prix comeback is on the cards for Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir, as the former MotoGP World champion plans to return at Phillip Island following a lengthy recovery from injury.

Mir crashed heavily on the opening lap of the Austrian GP in August and fractured his right talus, with later scans revealing the incident also caused further bone and ligament damage.

The 25-year-old attempted to compete at Aragon three weeks after the fall, but discomfort prevented him from riding safely and subsequently missed the following three rounds.

An electromyography check on Wednesday showed encouraging signs of recovery, with Mir to attend further medical examinations with circuit doctors next week ahead of free practice commencing in Australia on 14 October.

“It looks like everything is getting better, and I was very happy to hear the latest news from the doctors following my checks,” said Mir. “The injury appears to be healing well and the recovery work I’ve been doing has paid off.

“I’m still not at 100 percent, but I feel it’s time to come back because the situation is a lot better than it has been in previous weeks. I want to spend these last three races of the season with my team, so I hope that I will feel OK on the bike and be able to ride well.”

Three races remain in Mir’s stint with the Hamamatsu manufacturer as Suzuki will depart from the MotoGP World Championship at the end of 2022 and the number 36 will switch to the Repsol Honda Team.