Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been doing his homework ahead of the World Indoor Championships – and the Sutton & District sprinter insists a medal is his for the taking.

The 21-year-old qualified for the showpiece event of the indoor season after finishing second in the 60m behind Dwain Chambers at last month’s Aviva World Indoor Trials and National Championships.

Aikines-Aryeetey, who won 100m and 200m world youth gold in 2005, was just 0.05 of a second behind Chambers as the former drugs cheat clocked 6.50 seconds, the second fastest time in the world this year.

Chambers will be among the favourites for a medal in Doha, with his biggest challenge coming from across the pond, with Olympic-bronze medallist Walter Dix among a four-strong US contingent.

The USA also have the fastest man in the world this year, Ivory Williams, in their squad but, after swatting up on what it takes to medal at the World Indoors, Aikines-Aryeetey is adamant he can force his way on the podium.

“I’ve being doing my research into the World Indoors and I think I have to be in the top five or six as a minimum,” he said.

“About 6.5 normally makes the final or maybe 6.3 if it is getting quick, that’s what I have noticed.

“And then the medal places are usually in the 6.50s, a bronze medal is normally won in 6.54 so, if I can shave a tenth off, then that could be me.

“You have to bring in a lot of other factors, though: the Americans are going to be there and lots of other top names as well.

“So I’m just focusing on making the final - that has to be the first priority and, if I’m in there, then I’ll be going for a medal.”

Chambers’s presence, along with Craig Pickering and former Olympic relay gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis, helped Aikines-Aryeetey clock a personal best in Sheffield.

And, while the Sutton sprinter is desperate to impress in the Middle East, he admits his main objective for the season has always been earning a place in the GB-squad bound for the European Championships this summer.

“When you look at British sprinting now, we have such a great strength in depth,” he added.

“I think we have five or six of the best sprinters in Europe and we are going to win a gold medal at the European Championships, I am certain.

“We have Dwain, Simeon (Williamson), Tyrone (Edgar) and Craig while Mark Lewis-Francis is coming back as well so we have a lot of strength.

“I am in shape to run a PB for the 100m. I think someone from Britain will run sub-10 seconds for the first time this year and I just hope it is me.

“It is about being the quickest you can be, that’s the aim of the game and right now in this country there is a lot of competition.

“I think it helps, I think it will probably be easier to win a medal at the Europeans than it will be to get into the British team to go there.”

Aviva has been proud to have helped and supported the Aviva GB & NI junior, senior and disability teams as they prepare for all major events and championships since 1999. Visit aviva.co.uk/athletics for more information