Aleix Espargaro has been ruled out of the Malaysian Grand Prix due to a hand fracture.

The Gresini Aprilia rider fractured the fourth metacarpus of his left hand in a crash during last Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

Espargaro will undergo surgery on Thursday in Barcelona and hopes to be fit in time for the following race, the final round of the season in Valencia a fortnight later.

“The idea after the injury was to avoid surgery and to try to race here in Malaysia,” the Spaniard told MotoGP.com.

“Unfortunately, the situation is forcing me to go back home for surgery so that I will be able to fully recover for Valencia.

“In agreement with Dr (Xavi) Mir (MotoGP medical director), we agreed to have the surgery done on Thursday in Barcelona.

“It was an unfortunate crash, but I am already focused on the last race of the season where I want to demonstrate the level that the Aprilia RS-GP and I have reached.”

Espargaro had been running with the lead group when he crashed on Lap 8 at Phillip Island.

He will not be replaced at the Malaysian Grand Prix, which takes place on October 27-29.