TOM Lancashire will race for a place in the Great Britain squad for the European Indoor Championships this weekend.

The Bolton runner began his season with a bang last weekend when he clocked a highly impressive 3mins 39.96secs in an indoor meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Lancashire is excited about this season after British middle distance legend Steve Cram agreed to become his coach.

He looked back in the kind of form which saw him become British number one and go to the Olympic Games in 2008 before his career was hit by injuries.

The 31-year-old Bolton Harrier has ambitions of returning to the top of the national 1500m standings, and has his sights set on a medal at the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade next month.

First he has got to qualify by finishing in the first two in this weekend’s championships in Sheffield. He runs in the heats this evening at 5.35pm with the final tomorrow at 3.20pm.

Cram, the former world record holder at three distances and 1983 World Championship gold medallist, added Lancashire to his coaching stable of two in October which came as a massive boost to the Bromley Cross runner who was, encouragingly, disappointed by his run last weekend.

“It’s good that I am disappointed after running 3:39,” said Lancashire.

“I knew I was in the kind of shape to run 3:40 and I felt as good as I’ve ever felt. I got a knock on the last lap which cost me a second to a second and a half.

“I’m not saying I would have won the race if I hadn’t been knocked but I was feeling strong.

“I couldn’t recover from that but 3:39 isn’t bad for my first run. I’ve just got to make sure I finish in the first two at the trials.”