Sidelined off-road star Toby Price could be back on a bike as early as October as his recovery from serious spinal injury progresses at an encouraging rate.

The 25-year-old was hospitalised in the US after crashing heavily in a desert race a month ago, and flown home to Australia to undergo an operation to repair his C6, C7 and T1 vertebrae.

He has since returned to his home in the Hunter Valley, and told MotoOnline.com.au that he could potentially be back on the bike before the end of the year.

“The doctor said if everything goes well I should be back on a bike by October-November,” said Price. “I was surprised to hear him give me such an early recovery time and realistically I thought it’d be February or March next year.

“I’ll see how I feel in October and play it by ear, but there’s not much racing left in the season. In November is the Baja 1000 but that’s a long shot at best. I’d love to do it if I’m healthy, but I’m not going to rush anything or waste KTM’s money.”

Price hasn’t let the setback deter him from pursuing further championship success, and is eager to pick up where he left off when his rehabilitation is complete.

“Since day one of this injury I’ve wanted to get back on the bike and race again,” he continued. “I want to be competitive and win more championships.

“I know having metal weakens the bones around my neck but I can’t think of that, even though the spine is important. I’ve gotta have a good crack at it.

“I’m treating this as just a bump in the track. There are sections of Finke that are tougher than this and I’m not going to let it scare me off.”

He will continue to undergo light physiotherapy and hopes to have an update on his progress following a visit to his doctor in the next three to four weeks.

Click here to read MotoOnline’s full Catching Up interview with Price.