Bradford wheelchair basketball player Peter Finbow is itching to get back into the heat of competition after a lengthy spell on the sidelines – and he’s desperate to make up for lost time at the BT Paralympic World Cup.

The 35-year-old, from Holme Wood, underwent two shoulder operations in 2009 and subsequently missed out on the entire 2010 season, including the World Championships in Birmingham.

He therefore had to watch on as Great Britain sauntered through qualifying only to crash out after defeat in their first knock-out clash to France, who went on to collect silver.

That disappointment has now been put to bed, however, as Great Britain step up their London 2012 preparations with the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester later this month before heading to Israel for September’s European Championships.

And Finbow, a veteran of two Paralympic Games, is desperate to make the GB jersey his own once again, starting with a good showing at the World Cup – the largest international multi-sport disability competition leading up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

“The preparations for the Paralympic World Cup have gone well and I think everyone in the squad is getting hyped up for it at the moment,” said Finbow, who attended Tong High School.

“Between now and 2012 tournaments like the Paralympic World Cup are a great chance to play together, and I think they are specifically designed to do that.

“And the preparations do start now. They have always been serious for us but now it is getting so close I think everybody has been that little bit more focused.

“The Paralympic World Cup is good preparation for the European Championships later in the year, and there is a good competition in the squad at the minute.

“The team is so supportive and everyone is working hard but at the same time there are quite a few younger guys who want your spot, so you know you need to work hard.

“For the last four or five years there has been healthy competition, which is good.”

Great Britain have secured bronze at both the 2004 and 2008 Paralympics in Athens and Beijing respectively and, with the advantage of home soil, they will be going for gold in London.

But having been out of action for so long, Finbow insists he’s not yet casting his mind ahead to next summer.

“I wouldn’t like to say whether I will play after London 2012 or not,” he added. “Last year I had my shoulder injury, and London 2012 was a great carrot for me while I was working hard to recover and get back to fitness.

“It’s been a long old battle back to fitness but I feel like I am as fit if not more fit than I was ahead of the Beijing Olympics, so I am feeling good and looking forward to Manchester.”

* The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking place in Manchester from May 23-28, with elite international athletes competing in swimming, athletics and wheelchair basketball.

Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for tickets and more information.

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