Wells City Harrier Frank Tickner has his sights set on claiming a surprise 2012 Olympics spot after a strong cross-country campaign throughout the winter.

After victories in three of four races, Tickner currently tops the national McCain Cross Challenge standings ahead of the event's final in March – form that persuaded the 28-year-old to attempt his first track training session in three years last week.

And if he can replicate his cross-country form on the track, Tickner is hoping to make a late dash for London selection in the 3,000m steeplechase.

"I've done well on the cross-country circuit, so I'm hoping it can gear towards a successful season on the track, where the target will be to have another crack at the steeplechase," said Ticker, who has a personal best of 8mins 31.40secs, set in 2007.

"If I can get close to the levels I had in 2007 and 2008, there is a slim chance I might be able to run an A standard for the Olympics.

"I have a B standard time from a few years ago, so I'd need to improve that to an A standard, which is about six or seven seconds."

Despite having one eye on the Olympics, Tickner says he is far from convinced he will be able to cut it on the track and is just pleased to have got through the cross-country season unscathed.

"I only started back on the track last week and had my first session in about three years. Because of the injuries I have had, I always seem to miss a big chunk of the season," he said.

"It was actually the track that triggered off my injuries in the first place, so it is a bit of a tentative return. For me it's a completely different type of running and it takes a lot more time to get used to.

"At the moment I am just happy to be back running and injury-free, so there are no real targets as such. I only got back into athletics in August after a long time off and my only aim was to get through in an injury-free state.

"I wasn't particularly worried about results but the cross season has gone particularly well. I wouldn't want to pre- empt anything, though, as they are both very different disciplines.

"I will start my full track training in April but so far in my career I haven't yet been able to replicate my cross- country form on the track. For the moment, the battle is just trying to do that."

For more information on how to get involved in athletics, visit www.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk.