UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson has welcomed Paula Radcliffe's determination to resume her career next year, insisting only she knows when it is time to retire.
Radcliffe was unable to compete in the marathon at this summer's London Olympics due to injury, and lost her Lottery funding as she is no longer seen as a realistic medal contender in global championships.
But despite turning 39 next Monday, the marathon world record holder said she is ''desperate" to return to competition in 2013.
''I know she had an operation on her foot and it will take some time for her to get back to running, but I see it as very positive if she is still hungry to perform," Eriksson told BBC Radio Five Live.
''If she does the right things and doesn't push it too hard, I think she will be fine.
''The athletes know by themselves when it's time to retire and they have to come to terms with that on their own, it's nothing you force people into.
''She is a very talented athlete and if she is hungry to race then I think that's great for us."
Eriksson was appointed in October and is helping to oversee UKA's plans for a single high performance institute in Loughborough.
Loughborough will be used as ''the engine" of British athletics according to Eriksson.