GYMNAST Craig Heap will go under the surgeons knife for the third time in a month in a bid to be at his best for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.

The 27-year-old, who was Britain's only male entrant in the artistic gymnastics at the Sydney Olympics, is hoping a hat-trick of operations will clear up niggles in his leg, elbow and shoulder as he goes for gold in two years time.

"I had to have the operations otherwise I would be struggling to compete," said the Burnley man from his base in Lilleshall.

"The surgeon split my tendons to clean out my leg in the first one. That took a couple of hours but it seems to be healing nicely.

"Then he dealt with a trapped nerve in my elbow in the second operation, this is still hurting a bit but he could open up an old scar so luckily I've not got marks all over! And later this week, the surgeon will be putting a camera in my shoulder.

"It's a long term injury caused by repetitive training and it was just getting too painful. I really couldn't have carried on training without the operation but it does make you wonder what you're doing sometimes!"

Heap finished 32nd in Australia -- achieving his ultimate aim of reaching the final cut of 36 in a sport dominated by Russians and Chinese.

But, as Britain's number one, he stands a good chance of winning a medal in Manchester over the six disciplines -- the vault, pommel horse, floor, parallel bars, high bar and rings. "There is always a risk in having operations but I needed to have them done so I could start training for the Commonwealth Games at the beginning of next year.

"I'm back in the gym now for four hours a day doing bits and pieces but the aim is to start full training, have a relatively quiet year competition wise and then all systems go for Manchester."

The only thing which could hold Craig back is finances. He was told during the Olympics his lottery grant would remain the same -- less than £400 a month.

Local firm Smith and Nephew in Brierfield had sponsored him to the tune of £11,000 for the rest of this year which was a major boost during his Olympic preparation. "I'm just waiting to see what happens now," he said.