Michael Schumacher went a minor surgery today, removing pins that were inserted in his tibia, in order to accelerate his recovery. Following his operation today, Schumacher - who returned to his home in Switzerland - is likely to return to Formula One for the Italian Grand Prix next month, said his spokesman Heiner Buchinger.

Buchinger said that this return date is not granted but that it was "a realistic objective" for Schumacher who is set to continue physiotherapy on Monday. Today's surgery was originally been planed for next week, but Schumacher requested his doctors to speed up the recovery process where possible. Buchinger said that the operation, which took place in a Geneva clinic, was a success and Schumacher should be back to testing at the beginning of September. "Michael doesn't want to lose any time and wants to be in action as soon as possible," said Buchinger.

And on the brink of his return, his teammate, Championship leader Eddie Irvine, said that he would actually help Schumacher win the World Title, if Schumacher had any chance at the time of his return and Ferrari asked Irvine to do it. "I will always follow team orders," said Irvine, "so if the team feels I must help him then I will do it, just like I did it in the past." Likewise, Schumacher himself - who ruled out any realistic chances of him challenging the title, vowed to help Irvine in his title chase when he returns.

Irvine, speaking to British Sky TV, was also asked about Autosport's report that he has already signed a deal with Ford-Jaguar for next year. Irvine did not outright deny this, but said: "I've told my manager what I want to do, and it's up to him to get on and do it, but he's on holiday for a month, so I guess it's not going to happen in the next month."