Isle of Man TT veteran Michael Rutter will join the Mugen Shinden team for the the 2018 TT Zero race and partner Lee Johnston.

The team was originally to be a three-rider affair with Bruce Anstey and John McGuinness but ill health and a fitness setback mean the pair won't be able to compete on the electric bikes.

Rutter has taken part in TT Zero three times and has won three times so is undefeated.

"Mugen is very pleased to welcome him into the team and are confident that with his wealth of experience and his undoubted speed, his participation will aid further progress of the Shinden project," said a team statement.

"Lee Johnston has recently returned from Japan where he completed his first successful test aboard the Mugen Shinden bike and is in good shape to take on the challenge with Team Mugen."