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Stewart Lines is facing a fitness battle ahead of the 2017 British Touring Car Championship season, when Team Parker Racing will take over operation of his Maximum Motorsport Ford.

Lines, 53, fell from a pushbike two weeks ago and has been immobile since.

He has damaged muscles and has torn ligaments in his groin.

"I am in a lot of pain, but I am on the road to recovery," said Lines.

"But it will probably be a month until I am there.

"The media day for the BTCC isn't until March 16 at Donington Park so if I rest, I hope I will be fit enough to take part in that."

If Lines is unable to drive his Ford Focus at the opening round of the year at Brands Hatch on April 1/2, the team will have to field a substitute driver to make sure it fulfils the terms of its TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL) to enable it to contest the rest of the season.

"We could look to put an up-and-coming racer in the car if I can't do it," said Lines.