TYNESIDER Nick McCormick, one of the most exciting middle-distance prospects in Britain, today returns to the stage in Edinburgh where his burgeoning career took off a year ago.

The 24-year-old Morpeth Harrier was virtually unknown outside the North-East when he won the 4K race in the Great North Cross Country meeting in the Scottish capital.

But since then he has guaranteed himself a place in the Commonwealth Games by winning the AAA 1500m title and represented Great Britain in last year's World Championships.

McCormick has blossomed under the guidance of Chester-le-Street based coach Lindsay Dunn, who restored the Hexham-based runner's belief in himself after a frustrating series of injuries almost forced him to hang up his spikes.

A series of eye-catching performances for his club in team events hinted at McCormick's potential - and his success in Edinburgh last year did not surprise Dunn.

"Returning to Edinburgh will bring back a lot of happy memories," said Dunn.

"But I wasn't really surprised at what happened last year - I knew he was running well and I had a feeling he would make a breakthrough. He is an even better runner now."

It will be McCormick's last race on home soil before he leaves for Australia on February 8 for a carefully-prepared programme of track events before the ultimate test in Melbourne.

His last build-up race was in Madrid on New Year's Eve, where he lined up against a top-class international field, finishing seventh in only his second 10K.

"He thought he'd finished eighth but one of the Kenyan runners was later disqualified," said Dunn. "It was a great experience for him and he didn't have any problems afterwards.

"He's had some very good training sessions and he is really looking forward to running in Edinburgh. We race quite sparingly and after this he will concentrate on the track."

McCormick, who has just reduced his recent 100-miles-a-week training schedule, is hoping to retain his title at Holyrood, but he faces stiffer opposition, including European junior cross country champion Barnabas Bene, of Hungary.

l Defending champions Sunderland and arch-rivals Morpeth Harriers, are expected to be the leading contenders in tomorrow's Durham Cathedral Cross Country Relays (10am start).

Sunderland completed a double last year by winning the veteran men's relay and this year the race incorporates the North-East Championships.