Oxford City triple jumper Nathan Douglas is gearing up for one of the biggest years of his career in 2007.

The 23-year-old (pictured), who won silver at the European Championships in Gothenburg, has targeted the European Indoor Championships and the World Championships for further success, and now he is clear of injury, he is confident he can continue his meteoric progress.

Douglas said: "Everything has been going really well since the end of the season.

"I've got no injuries and no niggles at the moment, and it's time to get down to it and train as hard as I can."

Douglas says that the prospect of competing at the European Indoor Championships, being held in Birmingham in March, is a mouth-watering one.

"Competing in front of your home crowds is what any athlete craves for. It's definitely worth a few extra centimetres, as Christian Olsson found out in Gothenburg in the summer.

"I must admit I'm really looking forward to it. I enjoy getting the crowd pumped up and it really gets my adrenalin going.

"Silver in Gothenburg was the biggest win of my career. I'd jumped 17.26 and 17.42 earlier in the year, but then had a few niggles in my legs.

"It was weird, because I couldn't work out what the problems were, the team doctors couldn't diagnose it, but I just had no spring, no zip.

"I just kept positive, kept having the physio and focused all my energy on Gothenburg.

"I didn't really expect much to be honest, so it was a massive boost to qualify for the final.

"To get 17.21 and a silver in the final after all the problems I'd had in the lead-up was a great result for me, and it's proved to me that I can keep going upwards.

"The European triple jump scene is exactly the same as the world scene. The top triple jumpers in the world are all European, so I know there's a lot more in me."

Douglas points to Birmingham as a real chance to go for gold, but realises he has a formidable opponent in Olsson.

"He's the best in the world at the moment, no doubt about it," he added.

"But as I said, the home crowd in Birmingham will be behind me, and I'm sure it can push me on.

"I'm only 23, so I know I'm still young and have a lot more to offer.

"Jonathan Edwards didn't peak until he was 29, and he's still the benchmark in the world of triple jump.

"I hope I can reach my peak sooner than that, but he backs me all the way and gave me loads of advice."

Douglas is now focusing on training under the watchful eye of coach Ted King.

He said: "Without Ted's vast knowledge, I wouldn't be where I am today. He's finished the job which was started under my coaches here at Oxford City.

"I'm still proud to be part of Oxford City. It's my home-town club and I was delighted to be asked back to present the awards to the up-and-coming stars of the future.

"There are more than 400 members here now, which is just incredible, and I'm proud to be an Oxford boy and still be part of it."