Tim Benjamin missed the Commonwealth Games because of injury

Britain's leading 400m runner, who would have been a realistic gold medal hope in Melbourne if fit, has been blighted by a persistent groin injury.

Benjamin will run in Oslo on 2 June, before the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead on 11 June.

"I can't wait for the start of the new season. My training regime has really picked up after the injury," he said.

"My body is in one piece and I'm really looking forward to competing in front of a British crowd - I'll be looking to get back to winning ways again as soon as possible.

"With the Norwich Union British Grand Prix coming on the back of my first appearance this season in Oslo, it's a great chance to come back at the highest level.

I love racing in Britain with the passionate crowd Tim Benjamin

"I wanted to get myself straight back into the fight, so to speak, it has worked for me in the past.

"My main aim is winning the European Championships and I've got no problem in stating that as my target for this season."

In Benjamin's last race he went to sixth on the all-time British rankings for the 400m with a 44.56 seconds run at the World Athletics Final last September.

Prior to that he had beaten Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner at Crystal Palace, and was the only British male athlete to make a track final at the World Championships in Helsinki.

The 24-year-old sees the Gateshead meeting as a chance to prove to his home crowd that last year's performance at Crystal Palace was no one-off.

"This is a real opportunity to put my injury worries behind me and continue where I left off at Crystal Palace last year.

"I love racing in Britain with the passionate crowd and the reaction you get when they announce your name," Benjamin added.

"You don't get anything like that anywhere in Europe and it should be an awesome experience when I get to Gateshead."

Benjamin will face British rival Robert Tobin in Gateshead, as well as Jamaica's former Commonwealth champion Michael Blackwood.