BURNLEY'S Neil Hodgson is up with the leaders after yesterday's practice session for the World Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Ducati rider, who is currently leading the British Championship, is a wild card entry for the event, but carries the hopes of the 120,000 watching home fans as Blackburn's four times world champion Carl Fogarty is still out injured.

Hodgson is aiming to repeat his appearance last time out in the World event -- he won the second race at Donington as a wild card and came third in the first.

In the early sessions yesterday, Hodgson kept track of Troy Bayliss and Noriyuki Haga to take third spot.

Meanwhile, Colin Edwards, who leads the World event by 18 points with four rounds remaining aims to outshine Hodgson and the other British boys.

He said: "Brands Hatch is definitely one of my favourite tracks. I won both races here last year and we know the circuit suits my style."

Hodgson's British rival Chris Walker, from Nottingham who is another wild card entry, is also up among the pacesetters.