LEE MERRIEN’S dream of winning a GB vest could come true in Liverpool tomorrow.

He needs only to match his sixth-Briton finish in the recent UK Cross Challenge race in Gateshead and there would be a chance he will finally make his Great Britain debut at next month’s European Championships in Belgium.

The CI’s premier distance runner is confident and regards tomorrow’s race as wide open.

‘I’m feeling pretty good and was pleased with the way I ran in Gateshead,’ he said.

Merrien (pictured) was eighth-best Briton in last year’s qualifier on the same course, just missing out on selection.

‘This year it is a bit more open if anything and the Gateshead race showed that,’ he said, a view supported by the fact that not one runner has been preselected, unlike the women’s team.  The team is of six – that’s set in stone. The first three get automatic spots and the other three will go to the men in form.’