WORLD Superbike star Aaron Slight underwent surgery today in Sydney to stop the bleeding from a burst blood vessel in his brain.

Slight, 34, from Masterton, New Zealand was diagnosed as having an 'arteriovenous malformation' - also known as AVM - following a brain scan on Wednesday.

The Castrol Honda rider, expected to one of Carl Fogarty's chief rivals in the coming season, was admitted to hospital yesterday and is in a stable condition.

Castrol Honda team manager Neil Tuxworth explained: "Aaron has ben suffering for a long time with the symptoms of what has now been diagnosed as AVM. For example, he has suffered from a lack of focus in his vision and from a low level of concentration.

"The operation is delicate but surgeons have said that Aaron has every prospect of making an excellent recovery. Right now our thoughts are only with Aaron and his family."

Slight was forced to withdraw from the team's pre-season test session at the Eastern Creek circuit near Sydney on Monday before seeking advice from medical specialists in the city.

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