The 22-year-old Cuban told The Associated Press this week that he has recovered from a hamstring injury and expects to overcome his recent poor form at the August 15-23 worlds.

"All of this depends on the work you do and it depends on how things turn out," said Robles, who holds the 110-metre hurdles record of 12.87 seconds. "Nothing's impossible."

Robles will travel to Germany as the heavy favourite. Liu Xiang of China is unlikely to compete due to a foot injury.

world-championship title

Robles has taken Liu's Olympic title and world-record time and, now, he can also snatch the Chinese hurdler's world-championship title.

"My legs are feeling pretty good," Robles said. "After this time spent on the sidelines, which wasn't any good to us and the injury, we're moving forward with our plan."

But Robles doesn't see himself as the favourite even if he's won all four events he's competed in since returning from the left hamstring injury he picked up in February.

"I never go as favourite. I tell you that every one of us that is in the final, in the last race, we're all favourites because in the 110 you never know what can happen," said Robles, who finished fourth at the worlds in Japan two years ago and finished seventh last year at the world indoors in Valencia.

Part of the return plan has seen Robles focus his training in Guadalajara, a town nearly an hour outside of the Spanish capital.

At the invitation of the mayor, the Cuban athletics team has spent several years honing its training at the Fuente de la Nina sport centre with an eye on the European season.