BRADLEY Smith insists he is mentally ready for a return to MotoGP even if his knee is not 100 per cent.

The Oxfordshire rider is back on the grid this weekend for the Motul Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi.

It marks the end of a seven-week and three-race lay-off, following a crash in free practice ahead of the Oschersleben 8 Hours in August.

Experts thought it would be a minimum of eight weeks before the 25-year-old would be able to return to action after undergoing surgery last month.

But the Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider, from Forest Hill, was determined to come back sooner.

Although he was 21st in both of yesterday’s practice sessions, Smith had hinted in the pre-race press conference that his body was still not quite right.

He said: “It (the knee) is getting better day by day.

“It is still not where I would like it to be, but my heart and head are both 100 per cent, so whatever the knee is lacking I will try and make up in other ways.”

The injury forced Smith to miss his home race at Silverstone, as well as rounds at San Marino and Aragon.

He admits just being back among the hustle and bustle of the MotoGP paddock is a great feeling.

“It is nice to be here first and foremost,” said Smith. “It has certainly been a challenging seven weeks.

“It is not fun being at home watching these guys, so it’s nice to be back with the team and with familiar faces.”

He added: “Physio has been tough, I have been working every day I possibly can and doing as much as I can.“There is not much to do when there are no motorcycles around.”

l NICO Hulkenberg has agreed a deal to drive for Enstone-based Renault in Formula 1 next year.

It was announced yesterday the 29-year-old German would leave Force India at the end of this season.