HOME advantage can be the key to success reckons Bury's Commonwealth Games netball star Tracey Neville.

The England ace is convinced that she and her teammates can improve upon the bronze medal they picked up in the Kuala Lumpur Games four years ago.

And while her high-profile soccer star brothers Gary and Phil of Manchester United had to sit out England's World Cup odyssey it's left Tracey hell bent on adding to her family's amazing sporting successes with a gold.

England have been drawn with second-ranked New Zealand, Wales, Sri Lanka and Canada in the group stages.

Some observers believe it's the easiest of the two sections with favourites Australia and dark horses Jamaica and South Africa in the other pool.

But 25-year-old Tracey is taking nothing for granted and is level headed enough to know that anything less than the England girls' best form would be costly.

"This is the best preparation I can ever remember us having," she said. "And the fact we are playing in front of our home crowd can be a big plus for us.

"I honestly think we've a good chance, there's nothing better than turning out in front of your family and friends.

"It's a cliche but we have to take one game at a time and once the competition starts you never know what will happen.

"It isn't like we play home and away, you only get one shot at it but I'm confident we'll do well."

In the past Australia and New Zealand have been streets ahead of the rest in the netball world but gradually, thanks to increased funding from Sport England, the gap is beginning to close.

"The extra money means we have been able to get together as a squad more than we have done in the past," she added.

"It allows the players to take time off work to attend training camps, our facilities are a lot better and we now have a fitness trainer that is making a big difference."

And personnel-wise Tracey, who is her country's most experience player with 55 caps, is convinced England have the right blend of experience and youth to go all the way.

"The squad is similar to four years ago when we surprised everyone by finishing third," she said.

"Our skipper Fiona Murtagh is back with us and we have one or two up-and-coming sixteen-year-olds who have broken into the squad. They are bound to benefit from the experience of playing at this level."

"Once again Australia and New Zealand will be the teams to beat while it will be interesting to see how South Africa and Jamaica fare as we haven't played against them for a couple of years."

And Tracey has another reason why she want to finish the Games with a coveted gold - she's just become an auntie.

Twin brother Phil's wife Julie gave birth to a baby boy, Harvey, five weeks ago and he's the apple of the eye of all the Neville clan.

"He's absolutely gorgeous and I'd love to win the gold for him. It was his christening last Sunday." she said.

"I said to Phil and Julie if the baby had been a little girl we could have made her team mascot, but I don't think they fancied that idea," she grinned.

All the family will be getting to the MEN Arena at some point to support her in the group games which begin with tonight's opener against Canada at 6.30pm.

But Tracey, who works at her father Neville's Tiger Sports Management Company in Bury, remains convinced that playing in their own backyard will bring the best out of not just the netball squad but the English competitors of all the sports.

"I can see Team England really doing well in these games," she said. "Everyone will be rooting for us and we'll do our best to make sure we won't let them down."