Lutalo Muhammad is ready to make up for his World Championship disappointment by becoming king of Europe.

The London 2012 bronze medallist is fit again after a knee injury wrecked his chances of winning a World medal in Russia last month.

Muhammad admits he’s “blessed” to be travelling to Baku for the inaugural European Games, especially after GB Taekwondo team mate, Ruebyn Richards, withdrew earlier this week because of a broken metatarsal.

Liverpudlian Martin Stamper, who fought alongside Muhammad at the last Olympics, reaching the semi-finals, takes the place of unlucky Nottingham fighter, Richards.

World silver medallist, Damon Sansum, had been on stand-by had Muhammad not recovered in time.

“I am hugely excited and can’t wait to get it on,” said the ‘Walthamstow Warrior’ who celebrated his 24th birthday on June 3.

“To be kicking again, feeling good in sessions and in great shape, just five weeks post surgery, I feel very blessed to be in this position.

“I certainly wouldn’t be here now but all the help I’ve received from the medical staff, the coaches and psychologists.

“Let’s wait and see what happens next week,” adds Muhammad, part of Great Britain’s seven strong squad competing in Azerbaijan. “But what you see from me, you will always see.

“I am going to be the best I can be to bring a gold medal home. I am determined, I am mentally sound, and physically feeling very good.”

Muhammad also believes a first ever European Games experience will also be beneficial as he aims to qualify for next summer’s Olympics in Rio.

“You can never prepare 100 percent for an Olympics because there is nothing like it.

“But the more Olympic like experience you can get before Rio, especially for a younger athlete, can only be positive.”

Stamper, 28, comes into the squad following a recent appearance at the Austrian Open in Innsbruck. Richards suffered his injury in one of the final training sessions before Baku.

Liverpudlian heavyweight Bianca Walkden returns to action for the first time since becoming only Britain’s second ever world champion while Olympic gold medallist, Jade Jones, after a controversial World Championship quarter-final exit, looks for redemption at -57kg.

GB SQUAD

Schedule (+4 hour time difference in Baku)

MEN:

June 16: -54kg Max Cater (Southampton)
June 17:-68kg Martin Stamper (Liverpool)
June 18:-80kg: Lutalo Muhammad (Walthamstow)
June 19:+80kg Mahama Cho (Stockwell)

WOMEN:

June 16:-49kg:Charlie Maddock (Stoke on Trent)
June 17:-57kg Jade Jones (Flint)
June 19:+67kg Bianca Walkden (Liverpool)