GYMNAST Craig Heap says dreams of chasing a host of gold medals will see him through his 11th operation -- and get him to the Commonwealth Games next year.

The British number one underwent another bout of surgery last week with a double operation on a troublesome elbow injury and a shoulder problem.

"I've got more stitches in my body than my trousers!" joked the Burnley lad, but more seriously he hopes the surgery will carry him through to Manchester next year where he will be chasing eight gold medals.

Craig captained the Great Britain squad which won the team gold medal in Kuala Lumpur last time out -- but with seven individual top spots also up for grabs he feels there is a good chance he could win more.

A gold medal is available in each of the six disciplines -- the vault, the high bar, the pommel horse, the parallel bars, the floor and the rings -- while Craig is hoping to bid for the ultimate prize of top man over all six.

"It was great winning the team prize four years ago but I should have done better on some of the individual disciplines," said the 27-year-old.

"I finished fifth in the vault and, when I should have come at least third on the high bar, I fell off. It was one of those things.

"But since then, I have improved remarkably. I feel those Commonwealth Games helped me find my feet."

Craig went on to the Sydney Olympics last year as the only British male gymnast and achieved his goal of making the final cut of 36 -- and eventually finished 32nd smashing his personal best.

"I've been to the Olympics, competed against the best and earned a personal best there so that experience should stand me in good stead.

"It was fantastic. And even if I can't go for all six disciplines in Manchester, I will compete in three or four for the team and for myself.

"I know I will be able to do that although obviously I want to be part of it all."

Craig's last operation was the fourth time his elbow he has gone under the surgeon's knife -- and he's been told that even if the operation doesn't work, then that's it.

"They've told me to call it a day operation-wise. They said enough is enough and I tend to agree but with Manchester just a year away now, I'm just hoping it holds out."

Craig is off to a training camp in South Africa in July where he will be able to judge how far he has come since the operation. Then he hopes it's all out for the Commonwealth Games where he will bid to be the star of the gymnastic show.