Great Britain striker Matt Daly is gunning for goals at London 2012 in order to help repay the faith of coach Jason Lee.
The 28-year-old Surbiton forward's selection was a close call as he only returned to action in May after a six-month lay-off with a knee injury.
Lee delayed picking his 16 to allow Daly one final shot at proving his fitness in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and when he returned home from Malaysia unscathed the coach was convinced.
However, in the period leading up to that event Daly - whose international strike rate of a goal every three matches was why Lee was so determined to give him every chance - admits he was unsure whether he would make it back-to-back Olympics.
"I had my doubts. Two or three months ago I was teetering on the edge and make or break was me going to the Azlan Shah," he said.
"Fortunately enough I got myself right just in time for that.
"I managed to get a week's training under my belt before going out there and although it wasn't ideal preparation at least I was there.
"If I hadn't gone I wouldn't have found myself in the squad now.
"To know you are a valued member of the squad is a huge bonus and gets you through those difficult days.
"It makes those days when you are doing your training and rehab much easier because those days can be quite lonely and hard work.
"To be honest I am grateful and thankful to Jason for what he has done because he could have picked a side and left me out."
Daly has had a chequered injury record over the last four years but when fit there is no doubting his value to the side.
And he believes he has now put those problems far behind him now and wants to prove that in front of a home crowd at the Riverbank Arena.
"I've had a bit of a nightmare since Beijing," said the 2009 European Championships gold medallist with England.
"I've had various knee problems and now it is the other knee which has been causing me problems.
"But I've got back to a stage where I'm fully fit to compete and I'm delighted.
"Now we have been through two really hard weeks of training, everything has stood the test and now it is looking at tapering down and getting our game right.
"There is a fine line between wrapping yourself up in cotton wool and pushing yourself still to be the best you can in a month's time."
