STEVE Naylor is hoping for a positive return after his back injury at Saturday’s McCain Liverpool Cross Challenge.

The Woodstock Harrier has not competed since the Great Yorkshire Run on October 9, but has managed three weeks’ training ahead of the Liverpool race, which doubles up as the European trials.

This will be Naylor’s final race as a first-claim Woodstock runner as he has joined Bedford & County.

He said: “While it’s not been great preparation, as I wasn’t really walking properly four weeks ago, the injury has cleared up enough to allow me to give it a go.

“I shall be running for Woodstock even though I am technically a first-claim Bedford individual runner.

“I’m also officially cleared to compete as a team member for Bedford from December 1.”

Naylor added: “I shall have to miss out on trying to make it a hat-trick of wins at the Eynsham 10K on Sunday.

“I have to give it my all on at the Euro Trials and need to empty the tank – assuming I have a tank to empty after the injury.”