By Ollie Williams

Mantell's fightback from horror injury

Defender Richard Mantell believes the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament offers England a "massive" opportunity.

Mantell, 29, broke his right leg at the World Cup in March but fought back to be named in the squad for Delhi.

"I've done a huge amount of work in the gym and I'm feeling good going into the Commonwealths," he told BBC Sport.

"It's an opportunity for us to have a good go at some of the world's top teams. With success comes expectation and we're enjoying that position."

The England men's team have had a year to remember.

They reached the semi-finals of the World Cup - also held in Delhi - despite the influential Mantell breaking his leg after a collision with a Pakistan player in a group game and, in his absence, went on to make the final of the Champions Trophy in Germany, which pits six of the world's top-ranked teams against each other, in August.

We went to Delhi airport in a taxi, which isn't the best rollercoaster ride when you've got a leg in a cast Richard Mantell remembers his injury

However, they were beaten 4-0 by Australia in the final, and Mantell is hoping for a chance to avenge that result in India.

"There's no doubt Australia are going to be a tough match out there," he said, though England and Australia have avoided each other in the men's pool draw.

Australia, ranked number one in the world, are in Pool A alongside world number eight Pakistan, world number nine India, Malaysia and Scotland.

England are expected to come through a Pool B which includes world number seven New Zealand, world number 10 Canada, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.

The nature of hockey's global powers means the Commonwealth tournament is particularly strong, and Mantell - who plays club hockey for Reading - expects to learn lessons for London 2012 while in Delhi.

"The Commonwealths is a massive tournament, it's a multi-sport tournament which is really exciting for us to be part of," he said.

"It's one of the big tournaments on the way towards London 2012. It's a great opportunity for us to play in some really high-pressure matches which is what we really need exposure to now."

However, Mantell will have to overcome memories of his last visit to Delhi as he returns for the Commonwealth Games.

Horrific images of Mantell's broken leg were splashed across the sports pages of Britain's newspapers as the injured star, with just under 100 England caps to his name, made the arduous journey home.

"We went to the airport in a taxi, which was a hairy experience," Mantell admitted.

"There are three lanes out in India but generally five lanes of traffic, which isn't the best rollercoaster ride when you've got a leg in a cast.

"Getting through the airport on a wheelchair and onto the flight wasn't the easiest, but they managed to get me onto the plane with a flat bed.

Mantell flew back out to Delhi with England in September

"For once I wasn't in economy, which was nice, but it's not how you want to do it."

Though England have prospered this summer without Mantell at the back, the Somerset-educated player has a reputation as a world-class defender and is a welcome addition to the Commonwealth squad.

And, while admitting he only narrowly won his race to be fit again for the tournament, Mantell - who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the same leg five years ago - is confident the repaired limb will hold firm.

"By the time you get out on the pitch, you've done so much preparation and building up to that point that you generally feel stronger - it might be you're lifting a bit more in the gym than when you were injured, that your sprint times are a bit quicker than they were before.

"There's no doubt: you can't get back out on the pitch until you feel 100% right.

"If there's a 50-50, you need to go for it and come out with the ball."

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