SPRINT hurdler Andy Pozzi is vowing to come back even stronger after revealing he will miss the entire 2014 outdoor season through injury.

The former Alcester Grammar School Pozzi was eyeing up a successful outdoor campaign after finishing just short of the 60m hurdles podium at March’s World Indoor Championships in Poland.

However, the 21-year-old suffered an injury to a bone in his foot during the build up to the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha and now faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.

But Bath-based Pozzi will now be sidelined until next year - ruling him out of the Commonwealth Games and European Championships - after he suffered an injury to a bone in his foot ahead of Friday night's Diamond League opener in Doha.

He said: “After missing much of last year through injury, it’s really hard to face that I will miss the outdoor season. After running so well in the indoors, I felt ready to continue my improvements to the 110m hurdles this summer.

“As difficult as it is to take this setback, I will take strength from the way I've come back more competitive against the world's best despite previous injuries and a lack of racing.”

British Athletics performance director Neil Black added: “It’s heart-breaking for Andy as he was coming into good form and looked set to put himself amongst the very best this summer.

“However, the determination he’s shown in the last few years can only mean he will come back into the fold mentally and physical stronger.”

It's not the first time the 22-year-old has suffered an injury set back. He had stormed to the British title in 2012 before limping off injured in his first race at the London Olympics.

But he had showed good signs of getting back to his best during the indoor campaign.

He came close to a medal at the World Indoor Championships, being the joint fastest qualifier in the 60 metre hurdles.

In the final he set a new personal best but was pipped into fourth place.