Merrien expects call for Barcelona

Tuesday 27th April 2010, 2:30PM BST.

Mass start in London. (Picture by Press Association, 0959726)

LEE MERRIEN expects to be named in Great Britain’s European Championships marathon line-up today while sitting on a beach in Turkey.

But while the runner nurses his aching legs back into shape with a fortnight in the Turkish sun with his wife and young son Thomas, fellow islanders are acclaiming his record-breaking run and 12th position at the world’s biggest marathon.

There is even a suggestion that his run may rate as one of the best one-off sporting performances by an islander ever.

The British selectors are due to make public their choices today, but the Guernseyman is confident of being among six chosen for the event in Barcelona at the end of May.

‘I would be disappointed if I was not,’ he said. ‘I should be picked in a team of six.’