Athletics: British 400m hurdler Perri Shakes-Drayton fears she might miss all of 2014
Perri Shakes-Drayton has revealed her recovery from knee surgery could mean missing the entire 2014 season
Last Updated: 26/11/13 9:07am
The 24-year-old suffered posterior cruciate ligament and cartilage tears in the final of the 400 metres hurdles at August's World Championships in Moscow after going into the race as one of the favourites to challenge Czech star Zuzana Hejnova.
She will definitely miss all of the indoor season and admits it will take a speedy recovery for her to have any chance of running in Glasgow in July or the European Championships in Zurich the following month.
"I would love to be part of the Commonwealths and Europeans, but if it isn't going to happen I'm going to have to accept it," Shakes-Drayton told the BBC.
"Now I'm just trying to learn how to walk and get my body stronger.
"It is very difficult, but I have to remain really positive and I think I've got the best team behind me and I'm being taken care of.
"I'm missing out on the indoor season and we don't know if I'm going to be ready for the outdoor season.
"You do have days when you doubt whether you'll be back but some athletes have done it in the past. I will be back, and I just have to keep saying that to myself.
"I've come a long way because I was in a brace. And now you still see me hobbling along, but it's nice getting my independence back as I've got rid of the crutches.
"When I start running, then we can see whether it's going to take a season (to recover)."
