Rory McIlroy will defend his US PGA title after injury

A final decision on McIlroy's position is expected in the next couple of days

World number one Rory McIlroy will defend his US PGA Championship title next week at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin after recovering from injury.

Tee times were released on Friday with McIlroy grouped with the winners of this year's majors, Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson.

The 26-year-old had given hints via social media that he would be able to return to action.

McIlroy put the caption of emojis above a photo of the interior of a private plane

He suffered a "total rupture" of ligaments in his left ankle last month.

McIlroy's post on Friday showed the inside of a private plane along with various emojis depicting a US flag, a thumbs-up symbol and a golf flag.

The on-board video screen suggested McIlroy was departing from Faro in Portugal, where the four-time major winner was understood to have been practising and the location for Thursday's video of him hitting a driver on the range.

On Wednesday, McIlroy posted a video in which he was seen balancing on his left leg and twisting and throwing a gym ball to mimic the actions of the golf swing.

He has also shared photographs of his ankle from four and three weeks ago, saying: "I've come a long way since."

McIlroy, who was ruled out of the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational titles with the injury, was always going to be included in the tee times for Whistling Straits unless he called the PGA of America to withdraw.

His last competitive round was a closing 66 in the US Open at Chambers Bay on 21 June.