MIDDLESBROUGH’S Lee Fawcett believes his BT Paralympic World Cup bronze will make him hungry for more success after returning to the Great Britain wheelchair basketball squad.

The 32-year-old – who last competed for GB in 2005 – guided the hosts to third place in Manchester in the recent event, beating Germany 69-49 in the bronze medal play-off.

Fawcett – who finished 12th in the fencing event at the Beijing Paralympics – and his teammates had endured a tough week which culminated in a 48-35 semifinal defeat to Australia.

But after defeating Germany, the Newcastle Eagles ace insists he’s itching for more and is determined to become a mainstay in Australian coach Murray Treseder’s side.

“It’s been unbelievable coming back to basketball,”

said Fawcett.

“I came back from the fencing in Beijing absolutely devastated to finish twelfth.

“I’d aimed to get myself a lot higher and I suppose I asked the question of whether I could do fencing for another four years towards London 2012.

“I knew there was an opening to trial back to the basketball squad and I made that decision and I’m so happy I chose the way I did.

“There are one or two new guys so we were a little bit like strangers at the start of the week but as it has gone on we’ve gelled and I think we’ve shown that in the last game.

“The guys have helped me settle straight back into the squad. They are a good young bunch of lads and they’ve made me feel really welcome and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

And after impressing for Team GB last week, Fawcett insists his next target is a seat on the plane to Turkey for the European Championship in October.

“I’m aiming to be in the European squad – hopefully I can be,” he added.

“I know I’ve got a few weaknesses but it is hard work getting back up to this standard.

“I know what I’ve got to work on and try and impress the boss.”

■ The BT Paralympic World Cup took place in Manchester with over 400 competitors from 31 countries competing over six days.