Sutton’s comeback kid Andy Turner made a welcome return to the track at last weekend’s British Indoor Grand Prix meeting.

In only his second outing following a nine-month injury lay off, the 33-year-old finished fifth in 7.76secs in qualifying heats of the men’s 60m hurdles, which was won by Frenchman Pascal Martinot-Lagarde and who later went on to claim the final.

And the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, who clocked 7.73secs a week earlier in Belgium, admitted after his race he never thought he would be competing again.

He said: “It’s been the hardest year of my life without a doubt and I never thought I’d be back here racing.

“I’ve only had my spikes on a month and things have progressed better than I thought, so I thought I’d have a go.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with my race today as I ran faster last week.”

Turner, who runs a fitness groups called Antics in Sutton with business partner Anthony Nyman, added: “I’ve got to take the positives, I’m fit and healthy and now it’s just a case of putting in some hard work and getting ready for the outdoors.

“Up until a year or two ago, I kind of had it my own way so it keeps me on my toes.

“I’m trying to be as the best as I can be – the guys in UK are constantly running fast, so that’s good for them, me and British athletics.

“Outdoors I’m looking to retain my Commonwealth title, and try and do the European Championships as well.”