Peter Hickman says he expects injured 8TEN Racing team-mate Davey Todd to be fit to race at May’s North West 200.

The three-time TT winner suffered multiple injuries including a broken femur and tibia after crashing at the Daytona 200 in March, putting in serious doubt his chances of competing at this summer’s event.

However, in an interview with BBC Sport NI, Hickman said he expects the 30-year-old Yorkshireman to be fit for the North Irish event which takes place two weeks before the TT between May 6 and 9.

Hicky said: ‘I expect to see him on the grid at the North West.

‘He's been over at Formula Medicine in Italy, who deal with a lot of MotoGP riders and Formula 1 drivers.

‘He was walking unaided within five weeks, which was pretty impressive.

‘He's doing really well and the idea is he'll be at the North West.

‘He has been working really, really hard at it. He has the best people around him and he is super-determined, so I expect to see him on the grid at the North West.’

Hickman and Todd are expected to be in the island this weekend as this year’s TT launches with a special live podcast at the Gaiety Theatre on Friday night celebrating John McGuinness’s 30 years at the event.

McGuinness is set to be joined on stage by guests including Michael Rutter, Ian Lougher, Conor Cummins, Dean Harrison and the aforementioned Todd and Hickman.

Tickets for the event – which cost £15 - are available at at https://www.villagaiety.com/ttpodcast