Valentino Rossi has revealed he is hoping to recover quicker than expected from a broken leg which has kept him out of the last two races in the World Championship.

The Fiat Yamaha rider and reigning champion saw his title defence ended when he broke his leg at Mugello in Italy and has missed the last two races at Silverstone and Assen which have both been won by his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

But Rossi, who was carrying a shoulder injury from before the accident at Mugello three weeks ago, is confident he will be back in action soon.

Rossi is aiming to return at the Czech GP at Brno on August 15 which means he will also miss races in Spain, Germany and the United States.

Rossi said: "Three weeks have passed since the accident and two since I was discharged from hospital, and I am very happy about how my recuperation is progressing.

"I am feeling a lot better and I'm starting to live a semi-normal life again, although for a completely 'normal' life I will have to wait until I'm back on my bike."

As part of his recuperation, Rossi is using a hyperbaric chamber to speed his recovery.

"The rehabilitation is continuing as usual, both sitting in the hyperbaric chamber and with some exercises in the gym," he said.

"If the rehabilitation proceeds without trouble and if everything continues in this way, then my objective is to return at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno."

During his absence, Rossi's ride will go to 41-year-old Japanese test rider Wataru Yoshikawa.