Getting injured prior to an Olympic Games is not ideal preparation, but for Tooting judo star Winston Gordon it could be the making of him.

The 35-year-old is currently recovering from an operation to repair a broken finger in his right hand, suffered during his last World Cup appearance for Team GB in Samoa in November.

Gordon, a coach at Ernest Bevan College and Phoenix Judo Club sensei, is still a month away from a competitive return to action and has targeted a comeback at the European Championships in April.

He has just returned to light sparring, but has been forced to concentrate on using his left hand to grapple, which could yet make him a better all-round fighter.

“I came off the mat after the World Cup and I had no idea I had done it,” he said.

“My hand was throbbing and when I looked at it, it was virtually hanging off.

“All the ligaments and everything had to be knitted back together and the recovery process has taken a little longer than expected.

“Grappling is a very important part of my judo style and you have to have a strong grip, so it has been difficult.

“There has been a lot of rehab involved and it has been a bit difficult to stay positive during that.

“I’ve practising using my left hand and working on that has given me an extra dimension to my judo.”

Gordon, a +90kg fighter, finished fifth at the Athens Olympics, but had a disappointing time in Beijing four years later when his preparation was hampered by knee surgery in the build-up to the Games.

The 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who names Clapham physiotherapists Balance Performance among his medical team, needs a good showing at the European Championships to be assured of a spot this time around.

And he admitted he had unfinished business at Olympic level.

“I had an operation to remove some cartilage from me knee before Beijing which was disappointing, but I got through it with the help of my medical team,” he added.

“Judo fights can be over in a split second and, unfortunately, that is what happened last time.

“The fact the 2012 Games are in London was a huge carrot for me to continue.

“I’m born and bred here and I know what a difference the home crowd can make from Manchester.

“It is a massive opportunity because I don’t think I’ll make the next Olympics at my age.

“Whatever happens in August, I will see out the rest of the year and then see what my options are in terms of my career.”

Gordon hosted a coaching demonstration at Ernest Bevin last week and is a brand ambassador for Balance Performance Physiotherapy. For further information, visit balancephysio.com or contact 0207 627 2308.