The British Gas Duel In The Pool with Germany is squeezed into the busiest year of Katherine Wyld’s career, but the Leatherhead flyer insists there is always room in the diary for a date with the old enemy.

The 23-year-old will join forces with dual Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and world title holder Liam Tancock as part of a 35-stong Team GB contingent in Swansea this weekend.

Wyld faces an action-packed schedule, with the British Championships starting in Sheffield in March, followed by the European Championships in Budapest in August and October’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

But, despite admitting she already has one eye on securing her passage to India in the Steel City next month, Wyld insists she is armed and ready to cross swords with Britain’s European foe in Wales.

“I didn’t compete at the Duel In The Pool against the USA but, having spoken to Rebecca, I am really excited about this one,” said Wyld, who will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.

“She said the atmosphere was fantastic and the crowd really got behind the British swimmers so, hopefully, it will be similar in Swansea.

“The Commonwealth trials are definitely what I am working towards.

“That is the big picture at the moment and everyone will be in a different place right now, but I am also working towards the trials which will be crucial.

“Having said that, I am always ready to enjoy a race and, once I am in the pool, I will want to win.”

After helping Team GB set a British record in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the World Championships in Rome last summer, Wyld failed to make an impact at December’s European Short Course Championships in Istanbul.

But the Nova Centurion bounced back to form by claiming bronze medals in the 200m and 50m freestyle at the BUCS Championships.

And, after climbing the podium over the longer distance in Sheffield, Wyld is determined to test out the new string in her bow at the British Championships.

“I am going to compete in the 200m as well at the trials,” said Wyld.

“It is not a distance I have swum for a number of years but I have always enjoyed it, and it went fine at the University Championships last weekend.

“I have had a few injuries, which have made it harder to swim the longer distances over the past few years.

“But I feel completely injury free now and definitely think those problems are behind me.”

The nation’s leading energy supplier British Gas is the principle partner of British Swimming, and has pledged £15million to support the sport at all levels – from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit britishgas.co.uk/swimming