SIMON Archer believes he has a very good chance of picking up a medal at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games after he was named in England's ten-strong badminton squad to travel to Melbourne in March.

Although the Worcester-based player plans to play in the European and World Championships later this year before hanging up his racket, he says picking up a medal in Melbourne would be the perfect ending to his career.

The doubles star, whose trophy cabinet boasts an Olympic bronze medal, gold medals from the last two Commonwealth games and a host of national and international honours, is set to form a formidable partnership with Nathan Robertson for the men's doubles in Australia. He will also play in the team event and alongside Ella Tripp in the mixed doubles.

The 32-year-old said: "Being named in the Commonwealth Games squad means I will give the Thomas Cup a miss so I can just concentrate on being fully fit for Melbourne and not putting any extra pressure on my knee."