Sotherton was at the indoor trials in February but then injury woe struck

Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton wants to compete at the World trials and UK Championships as her injury recovery continues ahead of Berlin in August.

A back and foot injury has delayed her season's start but she now looks set to compete in Birmingham on 10-12 July.

"To get through that, stay injury free and get some decent performances is going to be important," she said.

Sotherton, 32, added she would not travel to the Worlds if she was not fit enough to bag a medal in Germany.

After finishing a disappointing fourth at the Beijing Olympics, Sotherton was forced out of January's Aviva International in Glasgow with a bad back.

The Birmingham-based athlete then had to withdraw from the British team for the European Indoor Championships in Turin in March after struggling with a heel injury.

606: DEBATE I think we have seen the last of Kelly Sotherton as the top British heptathlete KC

The Isle of Wight-born athlete faces stern competition for a place in the British team for this summer's championships in Berlin from rising stars Jessica Ennis and Louise Hazel.

Despite the optimism of being on the plane to Germany in two months, the Athens 2004 Olympics bronze medallist insisted it would be a wasted trip if her body was not up to it.

"I want to be a contender for a medal at the World Championships," she said.

"If I'm not in the shape to contend for a medal then I won't go - but I want to go there and take part and come back with a medal - I'm not going there just to compete."

In the 2008 UK championships, Sotherton was pipped to first spot by just 1cm in the long jump behind GB team-mate Jade Johnson.

She added: "Last year I tore my quad, so I was coming off a short approach in the long jump - but I still nearly won it, so I know that I'll be able to give it a good shot.

"Long jump's becoming quite successful now in this country though.

"There are quite a few good girls jumping really well - the likes of Johnson, Phyllis Agbo, Amy Woodman and Jessica Ennis - so it's not going to be easy."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version