Vlasic back in training after foot injury

Zagreb (AFP) - Croatia's former world high-jump champion Blanka Vlasic is back in training after recovering from a foot injury.

"Already after my first training sessions I did not feel the usual pain, which showed me clearly that I'm on the right path," Vlasic said in a statement on her official website.

Vlasic said she resumed training earlier this week after undergoing seven days of treatment at a sports clinic in Carlow, Ireland.

"There is still a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I will stay patient and keep a smile on my face," said Vlasic who will turn 30 on Friday.

On when she would return to competition, the Croat was less sure.

"I am not in a hurry, I have to respect every step of my rehabilitation, but for the time being I'm very satisfied with the development," she said.

Her next medical checkup in Ireland was scheduled to take place in three weeks time, she added.

Vlasic said in August that her withdrawal from competition this season would not mean the end of her career.

She missed last year's Olympics because of repercussions from a poorly-performed operation on an ankle, but had shown she was returning to form after a 20-month absence with victory in her first event back, the Diamond League meet in New York.

The Croatian won world gold in 2007 and 2009, as well as silver in 2011.