Alongside undertaking day-to-day rehabilitation, veterans are to be offered the opportunity to train for an elite Paralympic sport.

"It would give them a purpose," said Professor Nachi Chockalingam, a clinical biomechanics expert at Staffordshire University.

"If you have a guy who has injured his upper body, for instance, he would be flown to Selly Oak in Birmingham.

"We're hoping to work with clinicians there on the rehabilitation process.

"It would mean they do more than just practise physical movement.

"But it's too early to say what sports they might pick up.

"It would cover individual and team events.

"Ultimately, we could have some of the war veterans go on to win gold medals for Great Britain.

"We will be identifying them from day one."

It will be the first time elite sport has been incorporated into the treatment regime for British soldiers trying to come to terms with injuries, such as loss of limbs.

More than 2,000 British troops have been seriously injured in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom to topple the Taliban regime in October 2001.

"If we can help war-injured people to be rehabilitated, but also guided by professionals into a suitable sport, we will create a new pathway for individual success," said Thomas.

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