For the second time in just 5 months, Philip Deignan has broken his collarbone, this time in a training crash. Having made his Sky debut in the Tour Down Under, Deignan was set to do the Ruta del Sol later this week but has now returned to his native Ireland for recovery.

Philip Deignan has been forced to withdraw from Team Sky’s Ruta del Sol squad after suffering a fractured right collarbone in training. The accident occurred while Deignan was finalising his preparations for the Spanish race near his base in Monaco, and the 30 year old has now returned to Ireland to undergo a period of rehabilitation.

The injury is Deignan’s second collarbone fracture in the space of five months, having damaged his left side during last season’s Tour of Britain.

The climbing specialist is understandably disappointed not to be making his second Team Sky start on Wednesday but it expecting to make a speedy recovery.

 “The medical team have taken a good look at it and we’ve decided not to have surgery, so I’m back home in Donegal now getting ready to go again," he said. “My collarbone’s a lot more mobile than the last time this happened so I’m hoping I’ll be back on the bike sooner rather than later.

“It’s frustrating more than anything else when something like this happens. I was happy with the way things went at the Tour Down Under and I was looking to continue building my form at the Ruta del Sol.

“It’s not the end of the world though, it could have been a lot worse, so I’m trying to look at it in a positive way.”

Team Sky’s Lead Doctor Alan Farrell couldn’t confirm exactly when Deignan will be back in action, but is pleased with the progress being made with the injury, and doesn’t expect it to affect his longer-terms goals.

“Collarbones to tend to heal quite quickly but it’s difficult to say at this point exactly how long he’ll be out for," he said. “This particular fracture is not a bad one though so we’re confident he will be back on the home trainer in the next few weeks, and then racing again once the injury has healed sufficiently.”

Xabier Zandio will replace Deignan at the Ruta del Sol.

Team Sky for Ruta del Sol

Edvald Boasson Hagen, Peter Kennaugh, Vasil Kiryienka, Richie Porte, Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins and Xabier Zandio