Non Stanford: Triathlete's comeback will not be rushed

Non Stanford trains in Leeds alongside Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee

Former triathlon world champion Non Stanford says she will not rush back to action as she plans for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Stanford did not defend the ITU World Championships title she won in 2013 because of injury.

The 26-year-old missed the current World Series opener in Abu Dhabi, but hopes to return in April.

"We're just trying to make sure everything's right this year," she said.

Stanford, who won the Under-23 world triathlon title in 2012, suffered a foot injury during the Trafford 10k in March 2014.

The injury, a stress fracture in her left ankle, also forced her to miss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But her focus is now on securing a place in Great Britain's triathlon team for next year's Olympic Games in Rio.

"For us it's just around the corner now and I can't believe that we're already looking at 2016," Stanford told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"It doesn't feel like two minutes ago that we were in London celebrating 2012.

"The next few months the team will start to be selected for Rio and I'm really hoping to finish 2015 with a selection under my belt.

"There will still be time in 2016, but it would be great to get that done."

Stanford has resumed training after what she describes as a "tough" year which was blighted by injury.

"It was one thing after another for quite a long time, but I'm back running now and I'm doing sessions," Stanford said.

"Cycling and swimming are going really well because I've been able to work really hard over the last 18 months.

"Fingers crossed everything's on track for a re-appearance end of April."