Manx rally driver Mark Higgins’ bid to claim the Production World Championship is in tatters after he broke his collarbone.

He is due to start the crucial WRC Rally Japan on Friday and must at least start the event in order to avoid sanctions from the sports governing body, the FIA.

Higgins sustained the injury at home in Wales at the end of last week.

He needs to finish ahead of Suburu driver Toshi Arai, with the Japanese driver out of the top two if the fight is to move onto Rally Ireland and the concluding RallyGB.

Higgins managed to complete the course recce earlier and has asked mechanics to make changes to the car.