Town swimmer Adam Ruckwood is enjoying an Indian summer after considering retiring in the wake of a disappointing Sydney Olympics.

The City of Birmingham swimmer failed to make his mark in the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games four years ago and considered quitting after failing to make a finals down under.

But the Brockhill swimmer could not resist the lure of competing in his home country and has not ruled out a fourth Olympics.

"I turned 26 while I was in Sydney so I was getting quite old and thought it would be my last event," he said.

"But with the Commonwealth Games in Manchester it was just too good to miss and if I have a good games, the Olympics is only a couple of years away.

"I will take some time off after Manchester and spend some time with my family before considering my future."

After competing at the Barcelona Olympics, Ruckwood's finest hour came at the 1994 Commonwealth when he won gold in Victoria.

But the burden of expectation has proved too much in subsequent Olympics in Atlanta and Sydney, and his second Commonwealth appearance in Kuala Lumpur.

The 28 year old had a spell with Stockport SC but is back with the City of Birmingham club and says he just wants to enjoy the experience this time around.

"Both the relays I'm in have a good chance of medals so it would be nice to bring a couple home," added Ruckwood.

"I'm ranked fourth in both my individual events so a medal from one of those would be fantastic but the fact Ian Thorpe is entering the backstroke events does not help."

With all the pool events at Manchester Aquatics Centre, Ruckwood races in the 50m backstroke heat next Tuesday with the semi final the same day as well as the 4x100m freestyle heat and final.

If he gets through the 50m heat he faces a final the following day.

His 100m backstroke heat and semi are next Friday, August 2 with the final the following day and the 4x100m medley heat and final on the Sunday.

Former City of Birmingham teammate Jamie Salter is a Redditch 'ex-pat' who started his swimming career with Redditch Swimming Club as an eight year old.

Salter switched to City of Birmingham SC ten years ago where he trained under coach Tim Jones alongside Ruckwood.

The 26 year old opted to follow Jones to Scotland six years ago and has picked up medals in previous Commonwealth Games with bronze in the 4x200m relay in Victoria 94 and silver in the same event in Malaysia.

But against Australians Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, Salter is aiming for another podium finish.

"To be honest, the Aussie pair are ranked one and two in the world," said Salter, "they are a different class and bronze in my individual events would be a dream Games for me."

Salter competes in the 400m freestyle heat next Tuesday with the final the same day, the 200m event and final next Wednesday and the 4x200m relay heat and final Thursday.