McRae replaces Loeb

Championship leaders Kronos Citroen had been searching for a temporary replacement for Loeb since the 32-year-old Frenchman broke his right arm in a mountain bike accident near his home last week.

A team statement said: "Marc Van Dalen - Kronos team principal - together with Guy Fréquelin - Citroën Sport's director - have searched for the best solution for the Kronos Total Citroën WRT to defend its leadership in both 'Drivers' and 'Manufacturers' championships."

McRae, the 1995 world champion, is no stranger to the Citroen Xsara, having been team-mate to Loeb and Carlos Sainz in the French manufacturer's works team in 2003.

The 38-year-old Brit will be co-driven by Nicky Grist - the man with whom he has taken 17 of his 25 WRC wins.

McRae has not competed on the WRC since driving for Skoda in Great Britain and Australia late last year and has been brought in to help Kronos defend their seven-point lead over Ford in the manufacturers' championship.

He will partner Spanish duo Dani Sordo and Xavier Pons in Turkey for the October 13-15 event.

The timing of Loeb's return is unclear. He leads the championship by 35 points from Finn Marcus Gronholm, in a Ford.