Student Andy Turner is 'desperate' to shake-off a niggling Achilles injury so he can focus his attentions on the Olympic Games.

Turner, halfway through a Sports Science degree at the University of Essex, is taking part in the 110 metres hurdles at next month's Games in Athens.

First, though, he needs to recover from injury before he can fine-tune his preparations.

And the 23-year-old told the Evening Gazette: "I'm worried because this problem has taken longer than expected to clear up.

"I haven't been able to train for a month, although I hope to put that right this week.

"I've had physiotherapy, injections and scans to try and cure the problem.

"To start with the pain was killing me. Now that's gone but I know that if I train too hard it will come shooting back.

"And, with my first race at the Games less than 30 days away, that's a real worry.

"It's a mental thing as well as physical. Not being able to train affects your confidence."

Injury aside, Turner - who hails from Nottingham but lived in Chelmsford during his first year at the university in Colchester's Wivenhoe Park - is thrilled to be going to the Games.

Published Thursday July 29, 2004