recovery from injuries sustained in an horrific fall 11 days ago, but he still expects to be released from hospital by month's end.

A gall bladder infection, combined with a slight fever, had slowed the progress of the 34-year-old over the weekend. But by yesterday he had shrugged off both and was looking forward to taking the first steps on the road to recovery.

"I'm feeling a bit better now,'' said Gray, from Yeovil Dstrict Hospital in Somerset, England. "They (the doctors) have put me in a wheelchair which has made me a bit more mobile and as soon as I can get into one on my own I'll probably be released.'' Gray suffered a broken left leg and a separated right shoulder in a spectacular accident at the Montacute Horse Trials in Somerset when he was thrown from his mount Somers Deveraux while attempting a jump during the cross-country phase of the competition.

It had been hoped that the two-time Olympian would be able to get around on crutches within the next two weeks and possibly be back in the saddle by Christmas. But because the shoulder cannot yet handle the pressure of supporting his body weight, this time frame has been revised.

"It may be a total of 12 weeks before I'm walking without help,'' said Gray.

"Following this will be some intense physiotherapy administered three times a week and hopefully I'll be able to get things rolling in the new year.'' Set to make it a hat-trick of appearances at the Summer Games before his accident -- he competed in 1984 and 1988 -- Gray thought that he could really do something special this time around.

Said Gray: "I had a very good horse and I think I had my best chance ever of being in the top 10. And once you are in the top 10 anything can happen.

"I'll just have to dream about what might have been now...I'll be back in 1996 for sure.'' Despite spending over a week laid up in bed, Gray remained in high spirits, saying that he did not feel depressed until yesterday morning when he realised the three other equestrians, Mary Jane Tumbridge, Nicola DeSousa and Suzie Dunkley were leaving for Barcelona ...and he was not going with them.

Nevertheless, he had confidence that they would do their country proud.

"It's certainly disappointing,'' Gray lamented. "We were looking for my experience to help the team along. But these girls are talented in their own right and should do well.'' PETER GRAY -- It is likely to be early next year before the injured equestrian takes to the saddle again.