Tim Benjamin believes he can finally get his career back on track and has high hopes of performing well at the Beijing Olympics.

The 25-year-old Welshman, who won the European junior 400metres title seven years ago, was tipped as the best emerging talent since the halcyon days of Roger Black and Iwan Thomas.

Injuries have since held up his chances of realising his talent, although he can now confidently look forward to the outdoor season in the hope he has put his injuries behind him.

"I've been seeing a specialist regarding a small problem I've been having with my sinuses," said the Slough-based sprinter.

"It's held me back somewhat over the last 18 months but I've recently had an operation on this so I believe I'm right back on track again.

"Generally I've avoided injury recently and stepped up my training, so I'm looking forward to seeing the benefits very soon."

Benjamin, after a brief spell being advised by Colin Jackson, has returned to the fold of Tony Lester where is in a group of athletes including last year's world 400m silver medallist Nicola Sanders.

Benjamin, who is enjoying the training environment, said: "For three weeks from April 4 we're heading for warm weather training in Cyprus.

"Then we return to the UK for a speed/endurance phase which should leave me in great shape to tackle the outdoor season."

Benjamin, if he can remain injury free, is determined to fulfil the potential he first showed as a junior which was first put off track when he suffered a hamstring tear which forced him out of the 2002 European Championships final.

Then he had keyhole surgery to remove a tendon in his knee in December 2003 and 16 months later an injection for a back and groin injury went wrong and he was rushed to hospital.

There were suggestions Benjamin's career was under threat but he bounced back for the best ever season of his international career.

A marvellous summer in 2005 saw him win the European Cup title in June then the following month he scored what remains the biggest victory of his life.

Benjamin, breaking through the 45-second barrier for the first time, beat Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix.

He finished his season in great style, finishing fifth at the World Championships and also runner-up in the World Athletics final.

But injury forced his withdrawal from the 2006 Commonwealth Games team and although he then anchored the Norwich Union GB to the European 4x400m relay silver medal, he has struggled since.

Benjamin recently took time off from his busy schedule to host the SPAR Sprints Master Class at Maiden Erlegh School in Reading.

Pupils, from the school, aged between 11 and 16, were treated to a seminar which featured warm-ups, sprint drills and relay games.

"It's important that athletes like myself take the time to come along and lead sessions like this SPAR Sprints Master Class," said Benjamin.

"Over the last few years I've definitely noticed a gradual decline in the number of young athletes coming to train at my own athletic club training nights.

"So the more we can do to reverse this trend the better."

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