Kirsty Hunter has vowed to bounce back from the mystery illness that plagued her season in time to gatecrash Scotland’s 2010 Commonwealth Games party.

Rising 400m star Hunter has taken to the track just once for the past 13 months after being struck down with an unknown illness – which has never been diagnosed – in January.

The Broxburn ace complained of swollen glands and excessive tiredness with her only outing seeing her finish fourth in the 400m at the Scottish Under-23 Championships in August.

At 19 and a whole year behind her Scottish rivals her bid to pull on the Scottish vest in Delhi looks improbable – but Hunter has vowed to make up for lost time by doing so.

“It was tough to get back psychologically and competing as I know I’m capable of,” said Hunter.

“I was on antibiotics but I just didn’t recover until the summer season was well underway. I’d been training really well through the winter but I just lost it all.

“But hopefully next year will be better, I’ll keep on top of things and I should be ok. I’m really looking towards the Commonwealth Games.

“I’m not sure if I’m too young and if I’ve got enough training behind me but hopefully I can kick on now. I know they are a long shot but I’ll be giving everything to get there.”