Successful surgery for world champ Stoner

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner had successful surgery on his right ankle, his team said Friday, with the Australian hoping to be fit for the final races of the season. Stoner suffered torn ligaments and fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula in a practice accident at Indianapolis a fortnight ago but still lined up for the race and finished fourth. But he missed Sunday's Czech GP at Brno after being advised to have urgent surgery. His team Repsol Honda said he was operated on in Sydney on Thursday. "Doctors are pleased with how the operation went and now must wait during this initial recuperation period to see how the ankle is healing," Honda said in a statement. "With no complications or need for Stoner to stay in hospital, he has returned home and Honda will endeavour to share information on Casey's recovery as it is known." Stoner, who plans to retire at the end of the season, tweeted that he was feeling fine. "Operation went as well as can be expected, all the staff were great also. Now we just have to wait and see how I recover," the 26-year-old said. Stoner's goal is to be ready for his home Moto GP at Phillip Island on October 28, where he will be gunning for a record sixth straight win. The Australian is also targeting the Malaysian GP on October 21. "Being at Phillip Island is definitely my goal at the moment," he said earlier this week. "I would like to be ready one race before then as long as things are set so I can't cause any more damage, then I'll have a go."