UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins has shrugged off a number of injury concerns to present a largely positive picture of the build-up to this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.
Mark Lewis-Francis has already been ruled out with an Achilles problem while other high-profile British athletes are nursing injuries.
"It's always a concern that key athletes get injuries, which limit preparation or even prevent them taking part," said Collins, who is currently on a trip to China before the Games get under way in August.
Collins admits the absence of Lewis-Francis will be a big blow to the chances of the 4x100 metres relay team retaining their title - with only Marlon Devonish surviving from the 2004 squad.
Lewis-Francis suffered an Achilles tear last month, while warm weather training in Cyprus, which required surgery, wrecking his hopes of challenging for a second relay gold medal in Beijing.
Collins has sympathy for Lewis-Francis, who after a tough winter schedule was finally looking capable of fulfilling the potential he showed when becoming world junior 100m champion in 2000.
"MLF's injury is a blow, although we were very happy to catch the injury before it was something even worse," said Collins, who revealed the athlete had undergone a successful operation in Sweden.
"I'm pleased with the high quality of his treatment and confident in his recovery, especially in the light of his strong new work ethic."
Collins, whose task is to bring home at least five medals from the Chinese capital, believes that overall, athletes' injuries are currently not a major problem.
Paula Radcliffe is back in full-time training having recovered from the toe injury that prevented her chasing a fourth victory in last month's Flora London Marathon.
Collins also believes Dean Macey, who has finished fourth in the last two Olympic decathlons, long jumper Greg Rutherford and 800m runner Becky Lyne are well on the road to recovery.
He said: "As you know, each of these three athletes have had their problems, and all face some challenge in getting back to their best in time to gain selection.
"Currently all are training effectively, with the slight niggles, colds, etc, which are the 'privilege' of being a top-class athlete and pushing your body to the brink."
Having assessed the opposition that will be encountered in the 'Birds Nest' stadium, Collins insisted his team, who won three individual medals and one relay medal four years ago in Athens, have been set a realistic return from the 10 days of action.
"We have set targets for ourselves of five medals and 11 top four to eighth places as a stretch target to build on the steps taken last year," said Collins.
"I would rather not name names myself, but rather stress that we have more chances than last time, with the fourth to eighth targets reflecting a growing number of up-and-comers.
"There's a few other very outside shouts -
but you never know."
His forecast appears quite realistic with this year's World Indoor Championships triple jump winner Phillips Idowu and long jump silver medallist Chris Tomlinson, as well as marathon world record holder Radcliffe, capable of challenging for gold.
Christine Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders, the first two past in the post in last summer's World Championships 400m in Osaka, also have the ability to claim victory, although they face a daunting task if Sanya Richards is included in Team USA.
Heptathletes Kelly Sotherton and Jessica Ennis, who were third and fourth in Osaka, are also genuine medal contenders, particularly with Sweden's undisputed world number one Carolina Kluft not defending her crown.
After her fourth place in the 10,000m at the World Championships, Jo Pavey may finally add a global medal to her Commonwealth 5,000m silver while javelin thrower Goldie Sayers is another in the 'outsider' bracket if she can conquer her big championship nerves.
Collins can also look with confidence towards the relays, where at the World Championships the men's 4x100m relay quartet and women's 4x400m team both placed third.
With special emphasis and training sessions already having taken place with the short sprint squads, Collins believes they will reap the advantages of those get-togethers.
"We practice a large squad in both 100m relays and we have a programme of camps and races already agreed for both men and women in the run-up," said Collins.
Collins is adamant with the London Olympics on the horizon it will be essential to blood some of the country's most talented youngsters in Beijing, although the size of the team has still to be determined.
"Our current estimate is around 60 athletes and we could pick that today on those qualified," said Collins.
"Given the importance of prior Olympic experience in subsequent medal chances, and in keeping with policy agreed with the British Olympic Association, we will look carefully at optimising 2012 hopefuls' attendance."
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