England and Twell wary of Dobriskey threat in Barcelona

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

HANNAH England insists Lisa Dobriskey won't be only Brit to look out for in the 1500m at the European Championships - with the UK champion also targeting place on the podium.

BATTLE OF THE BRITS: Hannah England has warned teammate Lisa Dobriskey not to expect things all her own way at the European Championships in Barcelona (Getty Images)

Unlike Dobriskey, England's Barcelona preparations have been hassle-free as she comfortably ducked under the qualifying mark after running 4:05.70 minutes at the European Team Championships in June.

The 23-year-old built on that to cruise to gold at the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham a week later, with Dobriskey having to settle for bronze.

England gained European selection as a result - a year after watching Dobriskey win world silver from her living room after controversially being left out of the Berlin-bound British team.

And despite Dobriskey clocking 3:59.79 in Paris on July 17 - the third fastest European time this year - England - whose season best is 4:04.33 - has vowed to be a force to be reckoned with in Spain.

"I definitely think I am past the experience stage now and a lot of the races I have done on the European circuit have given me the experience I need," said England - who has been preparing at an Aviva-funded pre-event preparation camp in Portugal.

"I have raced against almost everyone I will race against in Barcelona, so it is time to get competitive. I have to go there and get the best out of myself - I am definitely not there to make up the numbers.

"It helps having good domestic competition in Lisa and Steph Twell as well. However, at the end of the day everyone will have upped it by now so you can't take too much out of who has done what this year.

"I have to look at it in a positive spin because I believe, touch wood, that I am going to arrive in Barcelona in the best shape of my life - so bring everything else on."