UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson has welcomed Paula Radcliffe's determination to resume her career next year, insisting only she knows when it is time to retire. Radcliffe was unable to compete in the marathon at this summer's London Olympics due to injury, and lost her Lottery funding as she is no longer seen as a realistic medal contender in global championships. But despite turning 39 next Monday, the marathon world record-holder said she is "desperate" to return to competition in 2013. "I know she had an operation on her foot and it will take some time for her to get back to running, but I see it as very positive if she is still hungry to perform," Eriksson told the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Radio Five Live. "If she does the right things and doesn't push it too hard, I think she will be fine. "The athletes know by themselves when it's time to retire and they have to come to terms with that on their own, it's nothing you force people into. "She is a very talented athlete and if she is hungry to race then I think that's great for us." Eriksson also reiterated that, unlike his predecessor Charles van Commenee, he has a good relationship with triple-jumper Phillips Idowu, who failed to reach the Olympic final after a controversial and injury-hit build-up. "He is aiming to bring back a gold medal at the World Championships (in Moscow next year) and I am looking forward to seeing him back on the team again," Eriksson added. "If he is fully healed from all his injuries, which he is now, there is no reason why he shouldn't perform good again so you have to say it's over now and we have to move forward and do better." | 
