Sussex runner Sean Baldock has turned to a sports psychologist to help conquer his nerves and rivals in the Commonwealth Games.

The 25-year-old from Hastings competes in the 400m individual and relay for England in the Games in Manchester this month.

Baldock has targeted a final place in the individual event and is desperate to erase memories of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney where he admitted nerves got the better of him.

The East Sussex athlete burst out of the blocks in his heat in a bid to keep up with the all-conqueroring American Michael Johnson but was unable to sustain the pace and fell away on the straight, ending his dream of a place in the last eight.

Two years on Baldock feels he is better prepared for the big stage and insists his monthly trips to a psychologist have been a positive factor.

The Belgrave Harriers runner said: " I won't be fazed by anyone or anything. I was over nervous before but hopefully I am more experienced.

"Seeing the psychologist has helped. It's made me more focused and I've picked up a few little tips to take away the nerves.

"The Olympics only come around once every four years and it hit me in Sydney what a massive event it was. I guess I was a bit overawed."

The Sussex 400m record holder has not singled out any individuals who might jeopardise his dream of a final place and sees his fate being in his own hands.

He said: "My biggest opponent is myself. If I don't run the race I want to then I will be in trouble. At Sydney I tensed up and went off a bit too fast."

Baldock has been training twice a week in Eastbourne and Hastings as well as racing at events as part of his build-up to the games which run for 11 days from July 25.

He said: "It will be interesting because I've never competed properly in front of British crowds. I am really looking forward to the games and it is going to be nice to be in a situation with 40,000 home fans in the stadium.

"Everyone has given me their best wishes and I want to do well."

Baldock's coach and close family friend for the last seven years is Mark Gregory, from Pevensey.

Gregory, director of coaching at the Athletics Youth Foundation at Sussex Downs College, is overseeing his protege's preparation.

He says Baldock is probably the most consistent 400m runner in Britain and believes if his star pupil can keep injury free then he has a great opportunity of reaching the last eight.

Gregory said: "The target is to make the final but we are not going to go chasing times.

"Making the final was the aim in Sydney and nothing has changed. He was unfortunate with a back problem in Australia but it has cleared up. Sean is coming into what I consider to be his time. Athletes usually peak between 25-32 and we are hoping Sean will do the same.

"He has been seeing a sports psychologist to get the best out of himself. It was just something else to try. A lot of athletes use them, it is there as a service not because he is mentally unstable."

Baldock himself is single-minded in his efforts to achieve success on the world stage but feels he has not had enough support from UK Athletics.

He works at a local electrical firm to finance himself and receives next to no lottery support because he earns more than the amount stipulated to get backing.

Baldock said: "I don't get much from the Lottery and no one ever calls up from UK Athletics. I don't feel I get enough support but that hardens my desire to succeed."

The build-up to the Commonwealth Games has been overshadowed by major sporting events such as the World Cup and Wimbledon which have dominated sports coverage.

Baldock admitted it worries him and his fellow athletes that they do not always get the attention he feels they deserve.

He said: "There hasn't been enough publicity and I'm not sure the organisers have got it right. We all think athletics has been pushed under the carpet a bit.

"We are one of the most successful sports in this country and we won the European Cup. The British team is consistently one of the top two or three in Europe but you wouldn't think so."

It is easy to sympathise with dedicated sportsmen and women who perform at an international level and do not always get the recognition their efforts merit. Baldock can at least do something about it. The runner might not be well known outside Sussex but a good showing in Manchester will raise his profile.