Tennis professional Jade Windley is fighting against the clock to be ready for her first tournament of the New Year.

After a seven-week injury nightmare, which ruled the 19-year-old out of action for the final two months of last year, Windley returned to training this week, but has just six days before she is due on court for her first event.

The former Horncastle student is on the entry list for a 10K hard court tournament in Glasgow.

"I have just returned to Brighton and begun my training, but I need to get back to my best because I am in a tournament in Glasgow next week," said Windley.

"It seems to be going okay at the moment, but the lay-off has been frustrating, because everything was going well and I was bringing my world ranking down.

"I want to take part in as many tournaments as I can, as the season gets going, because myself and my coach Guy Galpin have set a target this year of reaching the top 400 in the world by June."

Windley began last season – her first in senior tennis – ranked at 800, but a number of impressive performances saw her come down to 530 at her highest point.

Missing the end of the year has seen that ranking rise back up to 620, but the former British number one junior is hoping a good start this year will make up those places she lost.

"Although we have set a target of reaching 450 this year, ideally I would like to do better than that and make the top 400, she added.

"That would mean I would be in the qualifying rounds for Wimbledon," she added.

"That would bring more points and also better prize money which will be important to me this year.

"My coach believes those targets are achievable, which gives me confidence, so I will be trying hard to get there."

Following the Glasgow tournament, Windley is planning to take part in another 10K in Wrexham the week after and then a 25K event in Sutton.