Champion Baulch is facing race against time
Reigning world 400 metres indoor champion Jamie Baulch has until the end of February to prove he should be preferred to Mark Hylton and allowed to defend his title in Lisbon when the championships begin on 9 March.
Last weekend Baulch preferred to race over 200m at the national indoor trials in Birmingham.
Although the Welsh-man finished last in the final, he was more than happy with his performance - and in particular a preliminary round time of 21.02 seconds. However, in a race won by defending champion Daniel Caines in 45.75secs - the fourth fastest indoor time run by a Briton - Hylton challenged last summer's Olympic semi-finalist every metre of the way running 46.24secs.
The selectors are aware that several high class international meetings will be staged over the next month on the European indoor circuit and have refused to rush into an early decision about Baulch running in the individual 400m.
Before the trials the selectors knew that Baulch was following a familiar pattern of building up his speed before embarking on the defence of his title.
They have so far named only five individual team members and three for the 4x400m relay - Baulch, Hylton and Caines.
Even Olympic 800m bronze medallist Kelly Holmes, who won her trial race in Birmingham but did not achieve the qualifying standard has been shown no favouritism and has yet to be selected.
Joining Caines as automatic selections after winning their events at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham are Harrow's John Skeete, who ran a Scottish 60m record of 6.59secs, and Sale's Allyn Condon - who posted the fastest 200m time in the world this year when he ran 20.60secs.
Catherine Murphy from Shaftesbury/Barnet, who became the first woman to complete a 200/400m double at the same championships - and set Welsh records in both - has decided to compete ove the longer distance.
World decathlon silver medallist Dean Macey will make his senior indoor appearance in Lisbon.
On his outdoor form he should threaten the British record of 5978 points set by Alex Kruger six years ago.
The full team for Lisbon will be announced on 27 February 27.
