Injured Casey Stoner determined to try to take part in Indianapolis MotoGP race

After further checks in hospital, it was confirmed that there was an element of bone damage in addition to the torn ligaments. The initial diagnosis at the circuit medical centre had been a fractured ankle. Stoner sustained the injuries when he had a violent high-side on the exit of Turn 13 early in Saturday's qualifying session.

A Honda statement listed Stoner's injuries as follows: "several small chipped bone fractures, a 10mm fracture on the talar dome below the tibia and fibula, contusions to the anterior tibia, posterior tibia and medial malleolus, and soft tissue swelling around the ankle. He has also torn his deltoid, anterior talofibial, calcaneal and fibular ligaments in addition to a high ankle sprain."

Stoner said he would do his utmost to take part in Sunday's race.

"I need to see how I feel tomorrow morning to understand if I'm able to race," he said. "I am really disappointed as I felt we had the package for pole in this race and a strong chance for the win. Many other riders came off today, I hope they are OK.

"We'll see how we feel in the morning and will do all we can to be on the grid."

The Australian said he had known immediately that the injury was potentially serious.

"It's the first time in my career that I haven't been able to get up and walk away from an accident myself," he said.

"As soon as I stood up, I looked down and saw my foot was at a strange angle to my leg. I had a shooting pain in my lower leg, then I felt a crack as my ankle popped back in. It was very painful and I was sure I had broken something.

"The local staff at the circuit medical centre were all very helpful and after taking some initial x-rays they agreed I should go to hospital for further checks. The team that looked after me at the Methodist Hospital were fantastic, so professional, attentive and incredibly helpful, I'd like to thank them all for taking good care of me.

"They confirmed that I had some chipped bone around my ankle and a small fracture, but I was concerned about the damage done to any ligaments so we did an MRI scan. This showed that I had torn almost every ligament in my ankle and heavily bruised my tibia."

Stoner will start from sixth on the grid if he is able to take part in the grand prix.