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Ohuruogu taking things one step at a time

Christine Ohuruogu has been struggling with a thigh injury © Getty Images

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Christine Ohuruogu is hoping to use this season as a springboard as she bids to defend her Olympic title next year.

The Olympic 400m champion has been struggling with a left thigh injury, and is yet to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Korea next month.

Having clocked a season's best of 51.49s in Barcelona last week, Ohuruogu is confident of securing her place in Daegu at this weekend's UK trials, but she admits she cannot expect any preferential treatment from the GB selectors.

"I've never been in this situation before where I've entered the trials and not already qualified," she told the Guardian. "My qualification is pretty much dependent on how I do in the trials.

"Winning would be good! But, firstly, I have to show fitness and form. They will take into account my past record but they have to be fair. You can't expect any favours."

While Ohuruogu insists her injury woes are firmly behind her, she admits two seasons plagued by injury setbacks have changed her attitude to training and competition - her primary aim is to come through the season unscathed in order to be in the best possible shape for London 2012.

"I tore my quad last year just before the Europeans," she said. "I tore it from the hip which basically means the muscle is a bit shorter. I had to get it back slowly because the whole construction around my leg is quite new. I feel fine now - mainly because I've learnt a lot over the last couple of years.

"You can't get too stressed about it. So it's just a step-by-step process. I should be ready for the World Championships at the end of August.

"After the last couple of years what's important is that I just get through the year in the best shape. This is just another springboard to that. I just want to get to the worlds and come out in one piece."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.