By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Steve Mullings - file

Jamaican sprinter Steve Mullings, who only recently returned to the track, has predicted a strong 2007 season, which include winning a spot on Jamaica's team to the World Championships in Japan and breaking the world sprint relay record.

Mullings, 24, may just be talking tough after sitting out most of the past two years due to a doping violation. He tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone at the National Senior Championships in June, 2004 and was replaced on Jamaica's Olympic Games squad.

But Mullings says his goals are realistic.

"Watch out for Mullings next season," he told Star Sports from his Mississippi home.

"I am ready to make a comeback and to run under 10 seconds in the 100m."

Before his ban, Mullings was seen as a sure Olympic finalist and a key member in the sprint relay squad. He had placed second in the 100 metres (10.05 PB) and won the 200 metres (20.22) at the National Championships.

"A lot of people believe I can't come back and run fast but (then again) I don't have anything to prove," Mullings said.

No fluke

He made his comeback in July this year by running 20.53 in the 200m and 10.31 in the 100. Mullings said that coming back after two years and running the times he did is no fluke and if he had a whole season, he would have run under 10 seconds.

The former Boys' Championships double sprint champion, who is now attending Mississippi State University (MSU), said with his return, Jamaica has a very good chance of not only winning the sprint relay title at the World Championships, but to break the world record.

"With me injury free and in good shape, and Asafa, Dwight and Michael in shape, we have a shot of breaking the world record," Mullings said.

"If Asafa can have another good season like the past one, and Dwight who ran 10.0, Frater has already ran 10.0 and me, we can do it."

Mullings, who had a wind-assisted 9.96 seconds in the 100m and 19.90 in the 200m in an impressive 2004 season, also believes he will be in the top three at next year's National Championships.

Though he aims at an individual spot on Jamaica's team for the World Championships, Mullings made it clear that he will not try to upstage Powell, the man who twice ran 9.77 to equal his own world record this year.

"Asafa is running very well now. He is in a different class right now. I am not saying I can beat him," said Mullings, who hails from Perth Town, an agricultural community in southern Trelawny.

"Definitely once I'm injury free I must be in the top three at National Championships."

He also believes if he remains healthy he will become the fourth Jamaican behind Powell (9.77), Raymond Stewart (9.96) and Percival Spencer (9.98) to run under 10 seconds next season.

The 5' 10" sprinter, who won bronze in the 100m at the 2001 Pan Am Games in Argentina, said he has gotten over the disappointment of the past two years and that training is going well.

"It's great. It's far better than last season," said Mullings, who still maintains his innocence against taking any banned substance.

Mullings is set to open his season on January 13.