Back injury rules Sordo out of Finland

Hyundai has confirmed Kevin Abbring and his British co-driver Sebastian Marshall will step in for the injured Spaniard on the July 28-31 event.

Team principal Michel Nandan admitted the decision had been taken with an eye to the following Rally Germany - Sordo's strongest event of the season and the scene of his sole WRC win to date.

"Dani is recovering well from his injury and is making good progress," Nandan said.

"However, it is important that he recovers fully so we have made the mutual decision for him to miss Rally Finland.

"This will allow him to be at his best for Rallye Deutschland in mid-August.

"Kevin will take over the #20 car for this event and will join our rescheduled pre-event test next week alongside Thierry [Neuville] and Hayden [Paddon]."

Sordo crashed the car after a suspension arm broke following a high-speed landing in Finland last week.

He and co-driver Marc Marti were hospitalised overnight but released the following day.

Marti was uninjured, whole Sordo suffered a fractured vertebrae.

Nandan said the failed parts had been inspected and worked on.

"After a detailed analysis of the car, we have identified the technical problem that led to Dani's crash," he added.

"The specific parts are under investigation and we have already taken steps to ensure there will be no repeat of the issue."

This is the second time in as many seasons Abbring has stepped in for an injured Sordo.

The Dutchman contested last year's Rally Sweden in his place after his team-mate fell off his mountain bike and broke ribs.

Finland will also be Abbring's competitive debut in the New Generation i20 WRC, having used the older car for his WRC outings so far this year.