There have been a number of 11th hour changes to the TT line-up as the hours count down to the opening qualifying session this Saturday.

Foremost is the news that Australian ace Josh Brookes has taken over the 600cc Jackson Racing Honda vacated by the injured John McGuinness.

The 2015 British Superbike champion Tweeted a picture on Tuesday along with the words: ’Just had a cheeky little test on the 600 before the TT.’

The Jackson Racing machine was parked in the background.

The Preston-based team later confirmed that Brookes would be riding its CBR600 in the two Supersport events.

A few days earlier, it had also been confirmed that Brookes would be contesting the Bennetts Lightweight TT for Ryan Farquhar’s IEG/KMR Kawasaki team.

Making his first appearance in the class, he will campaign the bike originally earmarked for Hudson Kennaugh which Michael Rutter took to first and second place finishes at the recent North West 200.

South African rider Kennaugh has pulled his entry from this year’s TT.

Rutter will again be riding the Paton-engined Kawasaki in the Lightweight TT on Wednesday, June 7.

Bruce Anstey is back on the Japanese Mugen for the TT Zero race later the same afternoon.

The new Shinden 6 was also scheduled to be ridden by McGuinness.

Guy Martin is scheduled to ride the other Mugen, which could well provide him with his most realistic chance of scoring a TT victory.

Yesterday, Belfast Newsletter’s Kyle White wrote that Ulster-born Lee Johnston had parted company with Jackson Racing.

Johnston was scheduled to ride a new Honda Fireblade SP2 in the Superbike and Senior races, as well as being first on the road for the Supersport events on the 600.

Alan Jackson is currently in negotiations with a replacement rider.

Dan Kneen is currently without a 600 ride.

l Full preview of this year’s event in issue one of TT News on sale Saturday.