Loeb hopes to do New Zealand recce

The Frenchman was at home in France when he was crowned 2006 champion in Australia when Marcus Gronholm failed to finish in the top three.

Loeb had been aiming to return to action in New Zealand next month, but without the pressure of the title battle, he can take his time with his recovery.

However, he is at least hoping to take part in the recce for the event, to learn the new route of the rally for the future.

"I can't give a date for my return yet," he said. "The minimum I can hope for is to do the recce in New Zealand, so that even if I can't compete this year, I won't have to discover the route next year."

Citroen are keen that Loeb doesn't return too early, as he could risk causing long-term damage. While he is able to drive a road car again, he still needs time before he is fit enough to return to WRC action.

"It will be much easier to concentrate on my recovery without the obsession of coming back," he said.

"A fracture of this kind is very complicated, and I realise that a lot of time is needed.

"I need to be patient, and this gives me some time to savour my third title."

Loeb didn't follow the first day of Rally Australia, but he admitted to feeling more at ease once he had heard of Gronholm's roll on SS3.

"It was very frustrating not to be able to compete," he said. "It's difficult when you have to follow the rally on the internet, but luckily for me we had a good number of points before my injury.

"I'm relieved that we have won the championship, although it was too early in France to describe my feelings at first."