The 40-year-old, who will compete in the Polish city of Poznan on July 23, has learned that he will receive the bronze medal from March's World Masters Indoor Championships in Austria after the silver medallist was found guilty of doping.

Nicholls had finished fourth in Linz - well above his expectations at the time - but has now admitted he is upset that the actions of Russian Andrey Fedyashchin prevented him from taking his place on the podium.

He said: "It's good news and it's a dream to get a global medal.

"They are going to send me my medal and I should get it in a month but it's massively strange getting it now because I didn't get the chance to go on the rostron.

"I feel like the Russian stole my place on the podium and the sense of achieving a world medal.

"I've had four months of telling people that fourth is the worst place to finish."

Nicholls, who represents Sale Harriers and won a 20th successive Cheshire Championships at Victoria Park in May, was disappointed to finish in second place at the weekend's British Masters Championships in Birmingham with a throw of 14.30m.

But he is optimistic he can regain his form in time for the big event in Poland.

He said: "I didn't perform to my own standards in Birmingham.

"I had a good winter and a good start to the season but I've had a bit of a lull, although hopefully I'm starting to come back though.

"I'm having a couple of hours at Victoria Park with my coach at the weekend and that should set me up nicely.

"The Russian is banned for the Europeans now so maybe I can do something. I've got an outside chance of a medal."