The AIM Yamaha rider was fifth-fastest in the Superbike class but is confident of climbing the leaderboard positions tonight.

"The Superbike was hard work to be honest on Tuesday night and we were changing things around, but the first night is always the same," said Plater.

"I was a little bit apprehensive because it was my first time back on the roads for a while and so on, but it's the same for everyone and we've all got our own problems to get sorted out for the race.

"Obviously we would have liked more time in the Supersport practice, but if I had crashed and was lying on the floor then I'd have wanted it stopped, so fair play.

"It's just one of those things and the right decision was made to make sure the situation was sorted out," he added.

Plater revealed that he has identified a number of issues with his 1000cc Yamaha that need rectified before race day.

"The team has been working hard on the Superbike and we sat down after the first practice night and went through various issues that I wasn't happy with and discussed what needed changing.

"It''s more about getting the geometry of the bike suited to a road circuit as opposed a short circuit," he explained.

"In terms of speed, the bike is fine and I'm very happy with what's been done in the workshop. It's more a case of getting the settings changed so that I feel relaxed on the bike rather than being uptight.

"I spent some time during the session riding in the company of (John) McGuinness, Guy Martin and (Ryan) Farquhar and the bike is up to scratch on top speed; there's not a lot to choose between them."

Plater – winner of the NW200 feature race in 2007 – was fourth in the Supersport class on Tuesday.

Dungannon's Ryan Farquhar, who was sixth fastest on his McAdoo Racing Kawasaki ZX-10 in the Superbike class after the opening practice session, said he is more than happy with his machinery.

"So far, so good. The bikes are going well and we've only a few minor changes to make, such as suspension settings on the Superbike, but I'm well pleased," he said.

"My Supersport bikes seems to be really good on top speed and I didn't think that it would be just as fast as some of the other machines out there, so I'm looking forward to the final practice and the racing now on Saturday."