Leon Haslam has been confirmed as a wildcard entry for the UK round in the World Superbike championship with Puccetti Kawasaki with a number of other British riders lined up to join him at Donington Park.

The Bennetts British Superbike championship title contender announced he’d be linking up with Puccetti Kawasaki at the Imola round as a wildcard back in February and will return to the Italian squad for Donington Park – the scene of the team’s first World Superbike podium 12 months ago – to teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu at both rounds.

The British rider will be joined by fellow BSB rider Gino Rea who has also secured a wildcard entry for the UK round with OMG Racing Suzuki, while BSB championship leader Bradley Ray is also rumoured to be lining up a wildcard slot to make his World Superbike debut at Donington Park.

Haslam, who had been set to return to Puccetti Kawasaki as a replacement rider at the back end of the 2017 campaign in World Supersport before suffering a broken ankle in a crash at the BSB finale, is relishing his World Superbike return having secured second place with the team 12 months ago at his home track.

“I’m super-excited I’m going to be riding for the Kawasaki Pucetti team, the same as last season,” Haslam said. “Finishing second last year was over my expectations so hopefully we can do the same again. Hopefully there will be a big crowd there and we’ll give them something to cheer about.”