DAVE Parry knows what he wants for his 59th birthdayon Tuesday - a Commonwealth title from his son.

Parry senior will be at the Aquatics Centre to watch Stockport Metros star Stephen try to put two years of disappointment behind him.

"It's extra incentive to do well, knowing it's my dad's birthday when hopefully I'll be swimming in the final," says the Liverpool-born butterfly specialist.

Australian Justin Norris, who took away Parry's Commonwealth record, and Mancunian James Hickman are his chief rivals.

"James achieved a fourth world short course title and he'll be up for it, being the local boy.

"The Aussies are going to be tough, but our best times are comparable," says the 25-year-old, 1998 Commonwealth bronze medallist.

"The Aussies are phenomenal and realistically we are not going to beat them. They have got many superstars and many big hitters.

"But they are not going to win 38 gold medals like they've been boasting about."

Parry finished sixth in the Olympic Games final two years ago as the Aussies flourished on home ground.

But that wasn't good enough for the affable Scouser who has made Manchester his home in recent years.

Letdown

"Sydney was disastrous for me," he says candidly.

"To be ranked number one in the world, as I was between March and May, and perform like I did was really disappointing.

"I went to Australia truly believing I could win a medal, but I guess so did 10 other guys.

"I wasn't happy with sixth position and not to even do a personal best was unforgivable."

Things went from bad to worse as Parry and Hickman weren't selected for the 2001 world championship in Japan.

"That was the turning point," agrees Parry. "I probably needed not to make the world championship, because I could easily have gone there and coasted."

Parry realised it was make or break. "I was wondering whether I'd have to go out and do something else instead.

"But now I've got my appetite back and I can't wait to get started. Living and training in Manchester, I've noticed the buzz building up about the Games, and it promises to be something special at the swimming."