Morse seals long-awaited comeback after surgery

Zane Morse will make his long-awaited Dunlop Series comeback in Townsville after recovering from wrist surgery.

Rising star Morse was ruled out of the second round in Perth following an injury sustained in a fall in March.

Morse suffered a broken scaphoid, and with the injury sustained eight weeks out from the Perth event, Morse was unable to recover in time.

First practice in Townsville will be 101 days post-surgery for Morse, with a scaphoid fracture typically taking three months to heal.

AIM Motorsport called up Novocastrian Ryan Gilroy, who raced the pink #11 Mustang to 17th and 12th in Perth.

Morse was trackside supporting Gilroy, who himself returned to racing after recovering from concussion sustained in a Bathurst crash last year.

Fittingly, Morse's racing return comes at the site of his maiden Dunlop Series podium finish. Last July, Morse raced to third overall for the round in Townsville.

Speaking to Supercars.com after Perth, Morse said: "Obviously we can't really do much until the doctors give me the all clear. So, just waiting for that day to come.

"These sorts of injuries, they're finicky, aren't they? You can definitely feel it when you move the thumb around. But, I'm feeling good, and I can't wait to get back in the car again."

News of Morse's comeback was accompanied by Jett Johnson's decision to sit out the Townsville round.

Third-generation racer Johnson has opted to focus on his mental health, with AIM confirming veteran Dean Fiore will race the team's Ford Mustang in Townsville.

Dunlop Series action in Townsville will commence on Friday July 5.