Former grand prix winner Billy Mackenzie is in the final stages of recovery as he plans a comeback in the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki contender entered the 2012 season as a title prospect, however his run was cut short when he suffered wrist ligament injuries at Coonabarabran’s second round.

It was first feared that the injury could potentially rule Mackenzie out for the series remainder and the team called upon Dylan Peterson to join Jay Marmont in the factory effort, but it’s now certain that Mackenzie will return in the season’s second half.

“Wrist is on the mend, but it’s still gonna be a couple weeks before I can properly ride a bike again,” Mackenzie told MotoOnline.

“There is just a bit of scar tissue needing to be broken down where I had the op, but as soon as that’s gone I should have 100 percent movement back.

“It’s already at around 80 percent with a push, but just needs to be right before I start riding again.”

Although Mackenzie would like to make his comeback at Hervey Bay next weekend, he’s focused on the Horsham round in Victoria on 15 July.

“I’d like to be back for Hervey Bay, but that would be pushing it,” he added. “At this point in time I’m gonna do everything I can to be back for Horsham. I won my first ever Aussie MX national there, so it holds some good memories of my first race here.

“If I can get back and put in a good ride it should set me up for the last few rounds of MX when hopefully I can be pushing for the top spot. Coolum is a good track for me also, so I just want to come back ready to race and ride how I know I can.”

Season 2012 marks Mackenzie’s third with Kawasaki Australia’s factory team, claiming a best result of second in 2012. Last year he rode to a solid third overall after another strong campaign.