With the Commonwealth Games just a year away, the good news for Scotland is that Emma Mason and Imogen Bankier are back on the circuit as women’s doubles partners.

Former European No.1s, they split at the end of 2007 when Imogen became a full-time player based at Milton Keynes and Emma continued her studies at Glasgow University. 

But with Emma having decided to take time out from her studies following the offer to join the GB Funding Programme at MK, the pair are preparing together for the new season. 

“We don’t have a world ranking so we won’t be playing all the tournaments, but I think the new set-up should benefit us and Scotland.”

Not that the move south has been plain sailing for Emma. Her injury jinx continued at the start of her training with the GB squad – but she was relieved to admit that it was “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done.” 

Having spent the best part of a year sidelined by a career-threatening ruptured Achilles, this time it was a wee toe that caused the problem. “I was going upstairs in bare feet, tripped, and strained a joint,” she explained. “Thankfully, I’m only out for a week.

“I’m really enjoying myself at Milton Keynes. The quality of sparring is so much better and it’s nice to have Imogen and Jillie Cooper for company. It makes us feel quite at home.”