After a successful 2007 season, highly-rated sprinter Craig Pickering will race at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow next month.

Pickering will be looking to build on the massive progress he made, both indoors and outdoors, over the past 12 months at Kelvin Hall on January 26.

The European junior 100 metres champion raised eyebrows there last January when decisively defeating his training partner Jason Gardener in a thrilling 60-metres clash.

Then, five weeks later, he took the European Indoors 60m silver medal behind an inspired Gardener in another astonishing run.

With Gardener now retired and the Beijing Olympics just around the corner, Pickering will be looking to cement himself as British number one - starting in Glasgow.

Pickering has yet to commit himself to the World Indoor Championships in March, but it seems highly likely he will chase the global 60m title in Valencia.

The opening British indoor meeting of the year will offer him the first chance to prepare, although it is not known yet whether he will represent the British team in Glasgow or compete as a guest.

Pickering said: "I was overwhelmed with the outcome at last year's event. It was slightly daunting being against so many top athletes. I feel a lot more confident and am again looking to better my times."

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