Nieto ready to stand in for Jacque

Jacque was forced to pull out of the Chinese Grand Prix after cutting his forearm open in an accident in second practice.

Sources have revealed that Kawasaki were considering former MotoGP rider Neil Hodgson for the ride should Jacque could not race and the Briton would accept the offer.

But, according to Marca newspaper, Nieto, racing for Kawasaki in the World Superbike Championship since last year, is set the be named as Jacque's replacement.

And the former 250cc championship runner-up says he is ready to take the opportunity.

"Everybody would be happy to race in MotoGP and I'm motivated by it, but I'm sorry it has to be replacing a rider like Olivier Jacques, whom I admire," the Spaniard was quoted as saying by Marca.

"I won't see this as a chance, but rather as an experience. At this point of my career people know what I'm capable of."

Nieto, who switced from 250cc to Superbikes in 2005, has never raced in MotoGP.

Kawasaki are yet to make an official announcement.