Heather Olver will make her debut in the World Junior Championships a year after glandular fever threatened her badminton future.

The Heathfield ace will play in the doubles with Jenny Wallwork (Yorkshire) when England, seeded five, begin their campaign against America tomorrow followed by group matches against Singapore, Chinese Taipei, India and Holland.

Heather will also be partnered in Canada by Wallwork in the individual events which begin on Monday. The pair are ranked No.1 in England and No.2 in Europe.

She will also play mixed doubles with Tom Dunlop (Lancashire) for the first time and compete in the singles.

Heather, 18, said: "I don't think England can win the world title because countries like China, Malaysia and Korea are very strong.

"My best chance is in the doubles of the individual event with Jenny where we have a chance of getting to the quarter-finals if we get a good draw.

"We are ranked two in Europe and played well together recently in the Danish Junior Cup, one of Europe's biggest events, and reached the semi-finals in Copenhagen."

Heather, who has represented England juniors 35 times, is just delighted to be taking part.

She said: "The illness could have badly affected my badminton future.

"I felt so tired and lacked energy. I just sat there watching television or sleeping. It was so boring. I'm naturally sporty and like to keep on the go. Friends came round to keep my spirits up but it wasn't easy.

"It dragged on through last summer. After resting for a few months, I gradually increased my training and the amount I played, making sure I didn't overdo it in case the glandular fever returned. But even by Christmas I still wasn't quite right.

"Now I feel I am back to where I was before and am really looking forward to the worlds.

"I stayed dedicated because I set myself goals. I wanted to make the World Championships and I've managed it. Then I've got the Commonwealth Youth Games and next Easter the European Championships where I feel I have a chance of doing well."

The former Heathfield Community College student has attended Bath University, which is a centre of excellence for her sport.

Heather said: "Bath is a big bonus. I'm able to train twice a day and be with like-minded people who are of a good standard and ambitious like me."

She has also been fired up by the Olympic successes of Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson. They won a silver medal in Athens, four years after Sussex pair Jo Goode and Simon Archer won Britain's first ever Olympic badminton medal.

She said: "I would love to be able to follow them."

Her mum and dad, Alastair and Julie, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at the competition.

Alastair said: "Heather has done so well to come back from her illness. We'll be proud of her whatever she does in the worlds."