Liam Tancock set a new world mark in the 50m backstroke

Performance director Michael Scott wants Britain's swimmers to "maintain their momentum" as they prepare for the World Short Course Championships.

After success in Olympic trials, hopes are high for further progress at this week's five-day event in Manchester.

"We've taken a big step within Britain, but we need to take a big step in world swimming," said Scott.

New world records are expected, despite the absence of Michael Phelps, Grant Hackett, Libby Lenton and Leisel Jones.

A 35-strong British team was announced for the Olympics after last week's trials in Sheffield, where Liam Tancock set a new world record in the 50m backstroke and Hannah Miley broke Yana Klochkova's European record in the 400m individual medley.

There were also nine Commonwealth and 24 British records, as well as 37-year-old Mark Foster qualifying for his fifth Olympics.

Scott added: "We need to recognise there have been some great swims but we need to recognise world swimming is moving on and so we need to keep moving pace.

"British swimming has taken a significant step forward. Now we need to keep that momentum going, we have the self-belief that we can be competitive.

606: DEBATE Foster will have to be at his best to hold off the challenge of defending champion Duje Draganja in the 50m freestyle Bob Ballard - BBC Sport

"My focus with those people will not be to talk about medals, it will be to talk about what you need to get from A to B. You can't actually talk about medals, you have to focus on how you get there.

"This is the first stage, making the team, stage two is preparing for the Games and stage three is competing at the Games."

It is the biggest swimming event that has been held in Britain, with 125 countries set to take part, and stars such as world champion Ryan Lochte and Olympic gold medallist Kirsty Coventry will be in action.

One competitor who thinks world records will be broken this week is Australian butterfly specialist Adam Pine.

"It's an Olympic year, world records have been tumbling and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a few more set in Manchester," said the 2004 Olympic gold medallist.

"The home team are always strong at these events, so we'll be expecting a good show from Great Britain, while you can't discount the United States anywhere or at any time."

There has been a spate of world records being broken in recent weeks, prompting debates over whether those using Speedo's latest full-length body swimsuit, the LZR Racer, have an advantage.

However, the International Swimming Federation (Fina) believes the swimsuit - worn by 18 of the 19 swimmers breaking world records since its February launch - does not give competitors an edge and that records were more likely to be broken in an Olympic year.

The Italian and Canadian swimming federations banned their athletes from wearing the suit during their recent Olympic trials, while the suit is a popular choice with Britain's swimmers.

The action starts at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Wednesday.