John McGuinness looks unlikely to compete at this year’s TT after suffering a set back with the leg he broke last year.

McGuinness tweeted on Wednesday evening: ’Not sure what to say...unfortunately my leg has had a bit of set back, sorry not said sooner...Iv just been trying to get my head around it all 1st !!! To say I’m gutted is an understatement.’

Rumours had begun circulating early on Tuesday that McGuinness had allegedly re-broken the right leg he shattered in last May’s North West 200.

The 46-year-old had battled for the last 10 months to get fit for a comeback at the TT this year, and he had a full roster of bikes lined up for the event, including plum rides on the factory Norton in the Superbike and Senior races.

He was quite emotional last month when he walked up onto the stage at the official TT launch in the Villa Marina to great applause. It had been his ambition over the preceding months to step up onto the stage unaided by a walking stick having had the fixator removed from his right leg only a couple of weeks earlier.

He spoke very positively and emotionally about his recovery progress, but admitted he was looking forward to lining up on Glencrutchery Road at the end of May.