DORSET eventing star William Fox-Pitt is set to make his comeback next week following a serious fall during last October's World Young Horse Championships.

The 47-year-old former world number one, from Sturminster Newton, has four horses entered - including his 2015 Badminton winner Chilli Morning - in the Burnham Market International from April 1-3.

The Norfolk event will be Fox-Pitt's first since falling from his horse Reinstated during the cross-country phase in Le Lion-d'Angers.

Fox-Pitt, who suffered head trauma, spent three weeks at a French hospital - two of them in intensive care - before flying home and continuing his treatment.

In a statement posted on his official website, Fox-Pitt said: ''It is all systems go here and everything is on target. The horses are well, and I am hoping to be out competing at Burnham Market.

''I have been checked by the specialist and have been cleared to compete.

''Yogi Breisner (Great Britain eventing team chief) came down and we jumped four horses together, and it very much feels like all systems go.

''A big thank you to everyone who has supported me through my recovery. I am looking forward to working with Chilli Morning and the rest of the horses and getting going with the season.''

Fox-Pitt has won 20 major championship medals during a stellar career, including a team silver at the London 2012 Olympics alongside Zara Phillips, Tina Cook, Mary King and Nicola Wilson, while he has won the Burghley four-star event a record six times and Badminton twice.

Fitness and form permitting, he would be the leading contender to spearhead Britain's eventing medal bid at the Rio Olympics this summer.