Gardener won his third European indoor title in Madrid in 2005

Gardener's wife Nancy is expecting the baby on Saturday, the same day he runs in the qualifying rounds in Birmingham.

And he insists that if she goes into labour, he will head home after the heats and return for Sunday's final.

Gardener said: "Once my qualifiers are out of the road, if the birth gets under way, I'll be racing back home."

The "Bath Bullet", who is chasing his fourth successive European title, has been given a new 4x4 car by Lexus to help him commute up and down the M6.

If I want to win medals and continue coming up with the goods, I've got to learn to be able to deal with any sort of pressure. Robert Tobin

"Obviously, I am having to play things for the moment by ear, but this will make things so much easier if I have to rush back and see Nancy," he added.

Meanwhile, Robert Tobin is confident he can emerge from this weekend's Championships with two medals.

The European U-23 400m champion is adamant he can succeed in both the individual race and the 4x400m relay at the National Indoor Arena now he has overcome injury.

The 23-year-old will be one of the favourites to challenge defending champion David Gillick, of Ireland.

Tobin, from Basingstoke, said: "I decided to come here because I want to win medals and for no other reason.

"That's my main aim - to win an individual one and also in the relay.

"Gillick is ranked number one in Europe and has run under 46 seconds this year - he'll be the one to beat."