Commonwealth champion Cairns eager to kick-start comeback

COMMONWEALTH gymnastics champion Imogen Cairns insists she is closer than ever to putting her injury nightmare behind her in time for the defence of her title in New Delhi in October.

COMEBACK TRAIL: Commonwealth vault champion Imogen Cairns insists she has the defence of her title in her sights (Getty Images)

The 21-year-old struck vault gold as well as team silver at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne four years ago and was one of Great Britain's brightest prospects heading into the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

But the Devon-born gymnast's promising career took a disastrous turn for the worst in 2008 where, after failing to progress past qualifying in Beijing, she suffered long-term damage to both feet in a floor routine in her first competition after the Games.

After two operations and six months on crutches, Cairns has taken her first steps back into training and is adamant her sole aim for the season in qualifying for the England squad to defend her title.

"I loved the Commonwealth Games and had such a great time in Melbourne," she said.

"And my big goal is to be there in Delhi.  I'm just focused on doing my best to be there.

"I just want to give it this last shot. I don't want to be looking back and regretting not trying.

"It's important to set myself targets and goals. First I need to get back to a certain level and get some confidence from competing again, then see where that leads. I know it's still in me."

Cairns remains a close friend of fellow-British gymnast Beth Tweddle who scooped her second world title for the floor at last year's World Championships at the O2.

But former Commonwealth champion Tweddle won't be joining Cairns in Delhi, opting instead to defend her world title in Rotterdam, leaving qualification for the five women's spots in the England team wide open.

And with qualification competitions throughout the upcoming season, Cairns will have plenty of chances to stake her claim for a place.