Keely Hodgkinson sets sights on retaining European 800m title in Rome following injury as she looks to build momentum ahead of Paris Olympics

Keely Hodgkinson is ready to rule in Rome after revealing how a knee injury cost her more than two months of vital training coming into this Olympic year.

The world and Olympic silver medallist is the overwhelming favourite to retain her European 800metres title here on Wednesday night.

And Hodgkinson believes she arrives at the Stadio Olimpico in the best shape she has ever been after bouncing back from her worrying winter setback.

‘I didn’t run for nine whole weeks from November to January,’ said the 22-year-old, who goes in the 800m heats on Monday morning. ‘I tore a ligament and tendon and a little bit of my hamstring around the knee area.

‘For the first two weeks, I couldn’t even do any cardio because I couldn’t bend my knee. It was torture. It wasn’t ideal.

The Brit has opened up on how a knee injury cost her two months of training at the start of this calendar year

‘Getting towards January, I was getting a bit, “It’s fine but it’s not fine. I’m not running yet”. But I had to be patient. Knees are a tricky one. If you get it wrong you can be out for a long time.

‘But it was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to put together back-to-back weeks of getting my endurance, getting stronger and getting my speed. I really feel like this year is hopefully the best I’ve ever been.’

Hodgkinson proved her form and fitness a fortnight ago when she won the 800m at the Eugene Diamond League in 1min 55.78sec, the third fastest time of her career.

Now she wants to put on a show at the Stadio Olimpico to lay down a marker ahead of the Paris Olympics in less than two months’ time.

‘When you’re fit and healthy you might as well take the opportunities,’ added Hodgkinson. ‘If I can defend my title that will be great as a stepping stone.

‘Coming into the Europeans, I’ll always respect the competition but I am four seconds clear of the next person. So how do I keep the motivation high? I want to attack every race.

She won the Eugene Diamond League event two weeks ago and is also targeting Olympic success in Paris

‘I don’t want to have 1:55 here and 1:58 the next week. I want to be as consistent as possible.

‘I’m determined to put on a really good performance and see what I can do out there. I haven’t let you down so far, have I?’