* The benchmark rubber contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange for September delivery rose 2.1 yen to settle at 432.2 yen ($5.21) per kg.

The benchmark contract recovered from the session's low of 432.5 yen as supply concerns triggered speculative buying.

* The most-active Shanghai rubber contract for September delivery was down 205 yuan to finish at 34,895 yuan ($5,322) per tonne on Thursday.

* Severe flooding in southern Thailand has delayed at least 50,000 tonnes of rubber shipments from the world's biggest producer and exporter, a senior official said on Thursday, predicting further possible delays.

* Brent crude rose 0.8 percent to $116 on Thursday, heading for its biggest quarterly gain in almost two years as unrest across the Middle East and North Africa thrust supply constraints to the forefront of investor concerns.

* TOCOM rubber was expected to rise further on Friday, with the 430 yen level was seen as a strong support level, dealers said.

However, profit-taking could limited the rises, they added. ($1=82.97 Yen)