Christian Malcolm admits he will probably have to set a new personal best if he is to claim a medal for Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

The 26-year-old will contest the 100 metres and 200m in Melbourne knowing he will be up against it if he is to claim a place in the first three.

Malcolm, a member of the Great Britain bronze medal-winning 4x100m squad at last year's World Championships in Helsinki, will face fearsome opposition in the 100m with the likes of Jamaican world-record holder Asafa Powell, defending champion Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis and world silver-medallist Michael Frater of Jamaica set to line up in Melbourne.

Powell may also attempt the longer sprint along with Jamaican team-mates Usain Bolt and Omar Brown as well as Britons Marlon Devonish and Darren Campbell.

Malcolm said: "Everyone is going to be there in world sprints except the three Americans.

"Even the Australians - Patrick Johnson made the final of the worlds last year and he has run 9.96 seconds.

"I feel that you are going to have to be on top of your game and will have to get a personal best to get a medal.

"The Commonwealths are underestimated. Some of the events are quite weak but in terms of sprints it is the same for us - it's like the Olympics and it is still going to be like the Olympic medal."

Malcolm became double world junior champion in 1998 before claiming the silver behind England's Julian Golding in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Two years later he came fifth in the longer sprint at the Sydney Olympics, a position he replicated at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton as well as finishing seventh in the 100m.

However, the Cardiff AC athlete has failed to maintain his progress after enduring injury and illness, suffering kidney failure just prior to the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Despite setting one of the fastest times in the world last year when he shocked himself by running 20.15secs at the European Cup in June, Malcolm had a disappointing World Championships.

However, the Welshman insists he is back on course after he completed a stint of uninterrupted training and will finalise his preparations with Campbell, after coach Jock Anderson quit.

"Last year was just a year of getting back on the track and running well after my illness the year before so I didn't start training until December or January and didn't start training full-time until February," he said.

"When the season went on you could see I'd missed a full winter of training and I think that was why I was disappointing in Helsinki because I still expected myself to be at that high level at 20.15 seconds.

"But I didn't have the background of working and I was unable to carry that on but now I have the background of work with me I feel that, give me a few races and I can back it up.

"I've done all the donkey work and the strength work and now I need the speed in my legs and the only way I can do that is to get the sun on my back.

"This is my first winter for three or four years that I've been injury free.

"I've always thought if I'm injury free and on a level playing field I can mix it with these guys."

Wales have been left with just four athletes in the 4x400m relay squad following the withdrawal of Tim Benjamin and Malcolm may be approached to become a member of the team.

"I keep hearing all those rumours and I don't know how much is true or not.

"It could be possible. I discussed it with the boys and said if they need me and I'm fit enough and not tired after the 100m and 200m and they want me, I'll do it.

"I've never done a 400 before in my life. I don't understand why they think I'll do a good 400m."

Malcolm describes the Games as "a little bit more relaxed" and reveals his patriotic side, saying: "For us it's being Welsh. It's the only chance we get to represent Wales on the big stage. So for us its a bit more passionate and we really enjoy it.

"And that is one thing I'm really looking forward to is performing on the big stage in my Welsh vest."