England are planning to send a huge contingent of more than 500 athletes for the October Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Australia too are determined to come full strength.

According to a report on the Commonwealth Games England website, a team of 560, more than the squad for the 2006 Melbourne Games, will compete in upcoming edition.

England Chef de Mission Craig Hunter said their athletes want to use the Games platform for Olympic preparations.

"England will categorically be sending a team to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi later this year. There's no doubt that there are lots of athletes who see Delhi as a vital developmental stepping stone towards the 2012 Olympics in London and they are very keen to be in the team," Hunter said.

"Let's wait and see who decides to go and who doesn't when the time comes," Hunter added.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association Chief Executive Perry Crosswhite, dismissing all security fears, said his team was even more "bullish" on taking part in the Delhi event.

The successful running of hockey World Cup along with trouble-free test events in shooting and archery has bolstered confidence that organisers have security under control.