WALLYFORD star Micky Yule travels to Coventry this weekend as he aims to defend his title at the British Weightlifting and Para-Powerlifting Championships.

The former army staff sergeant, who lost both legs after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010, took up para-powerlifting to aid his recovery.

This year, the 39-year-old already claimed a second European title, while he narrowly missed out on a medal at April’s Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth for the second successive Games.

That Yule was able to compete in Australia in April was remarkable itself – he had only returned to training weeks before the competition having undergone an osseointegration, a Ministry of Defence trial where he had titanium rods drilled into his femurs, meaning he no longer has to use sockets or suction cups to attach to his prosthetic legs.

However, while the operation went well, Micky’s left femur snapped above the implant just days before Christmas last year, and he had to have more surgery to pin the femur back together.

But now, after months of rehabilitation, the dad-of-two is “feeling strong” and believes he is well on the road to hitting top form.

He told Courier Sport: “My preparation has been better than the Commonwealth Games and my European Championships win.

“It’s all about my fractured leg having more time to heal.”

And he outlined what he expects from himself at the Ricoh Arena this weekend, adding: “I expect big things – not only retaining my British title but getting back into the 180kg bench where I need to be.”

Yule’s short-term attention may be on Coventry, but in September he flies to Japan to mark two years to go until the Paralympic Games.

After missing out on a medal in Rio in 2016, the former Musselburgh Grammar School pupil is determined to be ready for the Tokyo Games.

“Everything is now gearing towards that,” he said.

But first, Yule is keen to “make sure everyone remembers who the best in the UK is this weekend”.