Suzuki has announced its test rider Takuya Tsuda will stand in for the injured Alex Rins at Spanish Grand Prix, which gets underway next week, and subsequent one-day test at Jerez.

The Japanese rider, who has made numerous appearances for the Hamamatsu factory aboard the GSX-RR at several official MotoGP tests, including an outing at a private shakedown at the Andalusia track in November, 2016.

The news follows an update on the condition of Rins, who fractured bones in his left wrist in a fast fall during FP3 at the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, USA.

Rins immediately underwent surgery in the United States to stabilise the injury, before having another operation in Barcelona on Thursday. Xavier Mir, co-ordinator of the MotoGP traumatology service, fitted titanium plates to the bones in forearm and wrist in a bid to heal the joints quickly.

The rider will need to wait ten days before active rehabilitation can begin. While a definitive date for Rins' return had yet to be given, doctors believe the 21-year old's return to competitive action will take between six and eight weeks, leaving his participation in the French Grand Prix (May 19-21), and, to a lesser extent the Italian Grand Prix (June 2-4), in doubt.

.@Rins42 was successfully operated on this morning at his forearm. Rehab to start in 10 days, recovery time between six to eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/h5Q14AME9p-- Team SUZUKI ECSTAR (@suzukimotogp) April 27, 2017

A spell on the sidelines will come as a significant blow to the class rookie, who had just begun to walk without the aid of a crutch after sustaining a fractured right ankle in a training fall before the Grand Prix of Argentina.

Jerez will mark Tsuda's competitive debut at a grand prix race weekend. The 31-year old Japanese rider has previously competed in the all Japan Superbike championship, as well as the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance event.

Team boss Davide Brivio said, ""We are very happy that Alex surgery went well. This is the most important thing. Starting now he is facing a recovery period, but we are awaiting his comeback to 100% and we will be eager to have him back on our GSX-RR so he can display all the talent he has inside.

"Meanwhile, unfortunately, we have to replace him. And for Jerez we decided to give his bike to Takuya Tsuda, our test rider who will have his first opportunity to get real race experience. We will try to use the occasion to further the development of the bike.

"I would like to wish a fast and good recovery to Alex. We will be waiting for him and until then, we will try to prepare him the best bike possible for when he returns."

Rins, who also had a a lengthy spell on the sidelines in November-December, 2016 after suffering two compressed vertebrae in his first official test as a MotoGP rider, said, "The surgery went very well according to what Dr. Mir told me.

"I would like to thank him personally for all his care and attention since the fall in Austin last Saturday, him and all his team for care they have given me these days in hospital.

"The messages I have received through social media have really encouraged me, especially the kindness that has been shown by every member of Team Suzuki. This fills me with the energy and desire to immediately begin my recovery and return to competition as soon as possible."