Radcliffe ready to return

Radcliffe, the only Briton to win an individual medal at the World Championships in Helsinki two years ago with a storming marathon performance, is itching to get back into racing action.

The 33-year-old - who gave birth to daughter Isla in January - has not been selected in the Norwich Union GB team for the worlds in Osaka at the end of next month.

But speaking from her training base at Font Romeau in the French Pyrenees Radcliffe said: "I'm not going to rush or take any shortcuts trying to get back competing.

"Obviously it's too late for me to go to Osaka - it seems as if the world championships have crept up on me overnight.

"If things go to plan, I am hoping to return to racing in the early autumn."

Radcliffe had been hoping to race the 10,000metres in Japan, the distance over which she won a silver medal at the Seville championships in 1999.

But the European record holder has not had the opportunity to chase the qualifying standard because of back problems and she is not yet ready to contest a marathon.

The Bedford star was back into training soon after her daughter's arrival but suffered setbacks as stress fractures at the bottom of her spine, linked to childbirth, and they stemmed her enthusiasm for competitive action.

Radcliffe is eager to return but admitted her preparations had been frustrating.

"I've only done a couple of track sessions and I bruised my foot in one," she added.

"I had to back off and there's no way I'm going to set off my back problem again by being impetuous."

She is well on the road to regaining full fitness, although husband and manager Gary Lough is not certain when the comeback date will be.

Lough said: "I'm not really sure on plans as we don't have any yet.

"Assuming everything goes as planned I would hope for a pretty full autumn."

A streamlined first wave of 49 athletes were named in the squad by UK Athletics but whether any have the ability to win a medal in the highly competitive atmosphere of Osaka is debatable.

Triple-jumper Phillips Idowu was tipped at the weekend by two-time world champion Jonathan Edwards as the best British chance of a title.

However, the Commonwealth and European champion suffered a recurrence of a back problem on Sunday at the trials and is adamant, if not fully fit, he will not make the trip to Japan.

Greg Rutherford, last summer's European long jump silver medallist, is also included even though a hamstring injury sustained last week is expected to keep him out of action for at least a month.

Clearly the selectors feel they can get him ready as they strive to achieve a target of 14 final places and three medals drawn up by chief executive Niels de Vos.

They will also hope two more injury concerns - Tim Benjamin and Becky Lyne - can prove their fitness in Friday's Norwich Union London Grand Prix to take their places in the 400m and 800m respectively.

There is also the possibility of Christine Ohuruogu, whose one-year ban for missing three out of competition drug tests expires on Monday, could be given a 400m place.

The Commonwealth champion holds the qualifying time from last year but will be unable to contest a race before the second wave of the team is announced on Tuesday.

Ohuruogu's coach Lloyd Cowan - without UK Athletics' assistance as they cannot formally assist the east Londoner until her ban ends - has taken the initiative of organising a time trial for her at Crystal Palace on Thursday.

But if they receive a good feedback it is highly likely Ohuruogu will be back in a British vest - probably in the 4x400m relay - after being withdrawn from the team on the eve of last summer's European Championships.