British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton has suggested that Becky James is capable of making the squad for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

James has been absent from the sport since the start of 2014 with knee and shoulder injuries, but ahead of her comeback in Derby this weekend, Sutton has backed the Welsh sprinter to earn qualification for Brazil.

Sutton is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I've no doubt she can quickly make up the ground and get back to where she was a couple of years ago. Given the technology and support team she's got around her, she can get back to where she was.

"The game has also moved on. We need to find those gains in the other areas if we're going to be medal contenders. I'm sure the support team I've got around me can do their bit and it's up to Becky to do hers."

In 2013, James won two gold medals at the UCI Track World Championships.