MotoGP: British rider Bradley Smith makes comeback after knee ligament injury

Bradley Smith finished sixth in last season's MotoGP standings

British MotoGP rider Bradley Smith has made a steady return to racing following two months out with a knee ligament injury.

Smith, 25, missed three Grand Prix after crashing during practice for the Austrian MotoGP in August.

The Oxford-born Yamaha rider completed the first two practice sessions for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

"It's not been nice being sat at home for the last seven weeks watching races on my sofa," he told BBC Radio Oxford.

Smith was 21st fastest in both practice sessions at Motegi on Friday.

"It's nice to be back with the team and some familiar faces," he added. "The physio sessions have been tough and I've been working every day I possible can on my fitness.

"The knee is getting better by the day, but it's still not where I would like it to be. But my heart and my head are both 100% and whatever the knee is lacking, I try to make up for it in other ways."

Smith is currently 18th in the Championship standings with four races left in the season.