THE advent of his 27th birthday today has reminded Iwan Thomas that it's time to start collecting medals again.

Southampton's 400 metres British record holder has been dogged by injury since lifting the European, World Cup and Commonwealth titles in 1998 and is desperate to get back on the golden trail.

"I can't believe I'm 27 already," admitted the Netley-based Welshman. "I was 24 when I won all those titles and I was planning to retire when I was 32. Time's running out so I'd better start winning again."

After the set-backs he has suffered in the past two years, Thomas is loath to shout too loudly about the success of his winter training but, fingers crossed, the omens are looking good.

He is jetting off to the sunnier climes of South Africa on Monday week (January 15) and is looking and feeling like the Thomas of old.

"I don't want to tempt fate by mouthing off about it, but I can't remember the last time I felt this good," he said. "For the first time since 1998 I've had three months of uninterrupted training which has given me the background strength I need.

"Last season I didn't start training until April, then I pulled a hamstring and it all turned bad. But if I can keep injury free and have a good spell in South Africa then it could all come right again. I've trained hard and the talent is still there."

Thomas plans to spend three weeks training in Potchesfstroom, south east of Johannesburg, return to Southampton for three weeks and then spend another three-week spell in South Africa, combining training with three or four races. Then it's straight off to Portugal with his coach Mike Smith's sprint group as the countdown begins to August's World Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

"I could go to South Africa for eight weeks solid but I couldn't handle that," he said. "I can't be away from home for that long. I get bored and I miss the people here. An athlete could easily spend at least five months a year out of the country, but it's not for me. I like chilling out at home."

Thomas's added incentive for South Africa is a chance to train with former 400 metres hurdles World champion Samuel Matete. The 32-year-old Zambian is a renowned hard worker and Thomas said: "Having someone like him to train with is ideal because I want to work hard too."