Wallyford-born powerlifter Micky Yule is preparing himself for another huge challenge, as he takes his place among Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games.

For Yule, selection for the summer’s showpiece event represents the latest step in a remarkable recovery from injuries that nearly cost him his life little over four years ago.

The 35-year old was a staff sergeant in the Royal Engineers serving in Afghanistan, on a patrol to clear improvised explosive devices (IED), when one detonated beneath him.

Yule lost both legs in the accident, and has undergone more than 40 operations in the four years since then.

It was while he was in recovery at Headley Court, the army rehabilitation centre, that Yule decided he wanted to continue the sport he loves, despite his life-changing injuries.

He told Courier Sport: “There’s nothing that can happen to me in competition that is any worse than what’s already happened.

“I think the drive you have within you to get over the injuries and to learn to walk again, if you can channel that, then it can really help.” Looking ahead to the Games, Yule, who is competing in Para-Sport Powerlifting, was in buoyant mood, after spending the week in training at Stirling University with the remainder of Team Scotland.

He said: “Training is going well, I was in the gym with the rugby 7s lads and there has been a really good atmosphere in the gym.

“It’s good to have everyone on board and when the gym is buzzing, it pushes everyone on.” Yule admits that not beginning competition until the penultimate day in Glasgow is frustrating, but he hopes it will allow him to take in the atmosphere.

He said: “I’m really hoping to get to see the weightlifting because I know a lot of the guys taking part, and the boxing. If I can work my training around getting to see them, that’d be great.” Yule hopes he can put himself in contention to win a medal, but was wary of the threat posed by the Nigerian athletes.

He said: “There’s a good chance I could medal – if I can get all my lifts in then I will be close.

“I’m planning on lifting 190kg – my personal best is 188kg but I think I will have to better that. If I do that and I don’t medal, then I will have done everything I can.“ For Yule, there is no greater inspiration than upholding a promise he made to seven-year-old son Charlie.

He explained: “Charlie had to do a school presentation about sport, and he did it on me.

“He told all the kids in his class that I was going to win a medal, and I told him that I’d send him back to school with my medal. No pressure then!” Charlie will be among about 40 of Yule’s friends and family who will be cheering him on, and he is excited about the prospect of competing in front of them.

He said: “It’s not something I get the chance to do very often because my competitions are all over the world. I can’t wait to lift in front of them.”