A HAMPSHIRE man, who 11 years ago broke his neck playing rugby, has his sights set on medal glory in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

Ross Morrison, pictured, will be among the British wheelchair rugby team travelling to Finland this week to defend their European Championship title and battling for a place at Beijing.

The 27 year-old, from Fareham, competed in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

He vice-captained the GB squad to victory at the 2003 European Championships and is also part of the four-time Europa Cup winning club - the London Wheelchair Rugby Club (LWRC).

Ross, who broke his neck playing rugby union in 1996, said: "We've just finished a week long training camp and the whole squad is in a good mood.

"Everyone is feeling positive ahead of the tournament. We're the best team in Europe and the only team that could stop us is Germany.

"It's going to be an intense Europeans because only the top two teams will qualify to go to the Paralympic Games in Beijing next year. So, basically if you don't make it to the final you don't go to Beijing.

"We've got one rookie in the squad and two guys that have been on the development team for some time and are making their debut in the elite squad now, so it's quite exciting that we've got a good mix of experienced players and newcomers."