Leighton Levy, Star Writer

Commonwealth Games sprint-relay gold medalist Kimmari Roach has expressed joy and relief that he will not have to undergo surgery for an injury he suffered while running the lead-off leg for Jamaica, in Glasgow, in August.

Half-way through the opening leg, Roach suffered a Grade 2 tear to a quadriceps muscle but braved the pain to make the handover to Julian Forte as Jamaica went on to win their heat and eventually the gold medal, one of the 10 Jamaica won at the Games.

Initial tests conducted showed a bad tear that doctors believed would have required surgery. However, after another test done on Tuesday at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Roach got some welcome news. "A tear of about one-inch remains which can be remedied with physiotherapy and strengthening," he said shortly after he got the good news.

"My leg is not bad as before. Going in I was still worried about the fact that I would need to do surgery and background season is just weeks away."

As it stands now and starting this week, Roach, who turns 24 later this month, is looking at another four to six weeks of rehabilitation and strength work focused on his quadriceps and hamstrings that could see him only miss the first few weeks of background training.

This off season is important for track and field athletes as the highlight of the 2014-2015 season is the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Beijing, China.

While very aware of what lies ahead next season, the Commonwealth Games gold medalist said he is not thinking too far ahead and just wants to take it one day at a time. "It's a championship year but I just want to get better stronger and better knowing that once I get there everything will take care of itself. Maybe then I can break 10 seconds."