IT has been a long time coming, Lynsey Sharp reflects.

On Saturday, she will receive her European 800 metres gold medal, almost nine months after she was upgraded to champion following the drug ban imposed on Russian rival Yelena Arzhakova.

The 23-year-old from Edinburgh, who originally finished second in the 2012 final in Helsinki, will be presented with the prize during this weekend's indoor International Match in Glasgow. It follows a protracted process involved UK Athletics and their European counterparts that left the Olympic semi-finalist frustrated at the delay. For Sharp, a vocal opponent of doping in sport, picking up the elusive medal at the Emirates Arena will finally bring a dose of reality to her accomplishment.

"After being injured, I wanted to draw a line under things and start the New Year on a positive," she said. "And I'll be able to do that in Glasgow. Up until now, all I've had is someone's word for it that I was upgraded. I've never seen anything official so this is the only thing that will make me feel like a champion.

"But I feel quite attached to the silver. It's obviously the one I got on the day. I've seen her [Arzhakova] wearing the gold medal in pictures. It's weird to think that's now going to be mine."

Sharp will fly home tomorrow from a training camp in South Africa as she continues her recovery from surgery to resolve a tendon condition in her leg. And although she will miss the entire indoor season, the Great Britain internationalist is confident her summer plans are on track as she bids to defend her European crown.

"I've surprised myself so far with how fit I am," she confirmed. "I've worked so hard from the day I first got the injury. I've not stopped doing bike sessions. So I'm in better condition now that I was at the end of 2012. I've worked hard in the gym on things which have been a bigger focus. But I've done good sessions out here."

When she eventually ends a year's hiatus, most likely in April in the United States, there will be qualification times to pursue for both the Europeans and the Commonwealth Games. Despite her major title, Sharp has yet to duck under the two-minute mark in her specialist event, a time which will surely be required if she is to make a significant impact. Yet in 2012, she notes, she had barely emerged from the junior ranks. "I didn't feel like a senior, whereas now, I've finished studying and this is a job. I have to throw my all into it and I do feel like I've learnt a lot."

She will not lack for domestic competition, even within Scotland, where European Under-23 medallist Laura Muir and the former UK indoor champion Claire Gibson are among those awaiting her return. Sharp will be an interested spectator when the pair square off in Glasgow against another past nemesis, Marilyn Okoro. All three will be ready for her return.

"It's weird because there has always been someone else in Scotland, like Claire, who's been around," she admitted. "But it's strange not to be seen as the young talent. So I've got to step up. And it's good to have that competition."

Muir's bar has been significantly raised since reaching the world 800m semi-finals in Moscow last autumn, the culmination of a fine breakthrough season which was initially forged on the indoor circuit. Her first major target for 2014 will be the world indoor championships in March in Poland, where she would have to opt for either the 800 or 1500m. Pre-selected in the latter for the Commonwealths, she remains wary of attempting such a tiring double at the age of 20, especially with the Europeans arriving quickly in its wake.

"The timetable does work, but it would be four races in five days," she said. "That's a lot for someone to take on. So I can't say for sure what will happen. It may be that the 800m turns out to be my stronger event. You just never know. But at the minute, I'm in the 1500m and I'm absolutely delighted to be running."

Gibson is due to fly out to Australia next Monday to chase the times she requires on the antipodean outdoor circuit. Now 31, the Kilbarchan athlete would dearly savour another Games crack after her experience in 2010.

"Delhi was a massive eye opener for me," she recounts. "I'd never had a crowd like that before in my life. In my heat, I had an Indian athlete. I remember watching back the commentary and Steve Cram said: 'I don't know if you can hear me because it's so loud.'"

n The Glasgow International Match is live on BBC 1 on Saturday at 1.45