CRAIG Heap's gymnastic's career is on hold after he suffered an injury set-back.
The 27-year-old, who recorded a personal best in his six disciplines in the Sydney Olympics last year, has been struggling since he returned from Australia with an elbow and shoulder injury.
The Burnley lad had hoped to have operations on both before he began preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year.
But, despite going under the surgeons knife to correct wear and tear on his elbow, the operation hasn't been a complete success.
"It's so frustrating," said Craig, who moved out of his base at Lilleshall temporarily and is spending time between his home in Burnley and his girlfriend Paula's house -- a fellow gymnast -- in Harlow.
"I had hoped to be training full pelt by this time, and trying to get sponsorship for the coming year but instead I've had an injection in my elbow and will go back to the doctors next week and see if I have to have another operation.
"There are training camps in Australia and South Africa coming up but if I'm not right I won't be able to go.
"I'm on hold at the moment until next week."
Craig had already had an operation on his leg following Sydney and might need surgery on his shoulder -- although he says the lack of training has eased the pain there.
"My shoulder has been okay since but I think it's just because I've been doing light training. You never know though I might not need another operation which will be a huge relief!"
And Craig, along with the injury worries, has the financial side to contend with. "We're waiting to hear about our Lottery funding for next year at the moment," said Craig, who was fortunate enough last year to get some local help off Smith and Nephew who gave him £11,000 so he could compete at Sydney.
"I got £300 off the Lottery last year and they put it up to £700 when I moved out of Lilleshall, although I was glad to do that as it was like living in 'Big Brother', with the same people 24 hours a day!
"I'm hoping to move back though when I recover and I'm expecting to hear at the end of the month how much I get from the Lottery.
"I have been a bit down as everything seems to be going wrong at the moment but we'll see what happens."
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