Athletics: Mayock's absence could prove costly

As the BBC trailer goes for this weekend's Aqua Pura Commonwealth trials at the City of Manchester stadium, you're either in, or you're out. Unless of course you are injured and looking for the third discretionary place in the English team for the Games which begin at the same venue next month.

Two in the latter category are Kelly Holmes, the winner of three 800 metres races on the spin already this season, and John Mayock, heavily defeated by fellow Englander Andrew Graffin in Seville last week, who has withdrawn from the 1500 metres.

Holmes, whose medals include a gold and silver from the Commonwealths, can feel secure about taking her place in a team which already contains automatic 5,000 metres selection Paula Radcliffe. But Mayock, despite having Commonwealth silver and bronze, may have to sweat a little as a strong 1500 metres field sets about the business of making the first two automatic qualifying slots. Assuming all run to their potential, will the selectors be able to deny two of the following – Graffin, Anthony Whiteman, European indoor medallist Michael East and European Cup representative Tom Mayo?

While today's 100 metres, which involves a tantalising case of four into three won't go involving Dwain Chambers, Jason Gardener, Mark Lewis-Francis and Darren Campbell, looks the most competitive event of the weekend, the 1500 metres could run it close.

The pressure should also be high in the men's long jump, where the trio who distinguished themselves at Loughborough recently by becoming the first trio of British athletes to surpass 8.00 metres in the same competition – Nathan Morgan, Jonathan Moore and newly established British record holder Chris Tomlinson – will renew domestic battle.

Morgan, whose position as the leading Brit has been taken over by the newly emerging 6ft 6in Tomlinson, is maintaining a confident front. "When it matters I will be the man that comes out on top," he said. "I still believe I am the best. The times Chris and I have competed before I've beaten him hands down."

A number of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish athletes with points still to prove to their selectors will also be taking part in this weekend's event – which comes a month before the British trials for the European Championships – including the 400m runner Jamie Baulch, who recorded a promising time of 46.01 in Hamburg this week.

With Mark Richardson out for the season because of an Achilles tendon injury, and defending champion Iwan Thomas also struggling with injury – he warmed up at the Bratislava meeting this week but was unable to run – Baulch will help maintain the standard of an event that has been one of England and Britain's strongest in the past 15 years. Daniel Caines, the world indoor champion, will be seeking to establish himself as the No 1.

With the discretionary place in the women's 100 metres likely to go to Abi Oyepitan, who is recovering from injury, the race promises to approach its male counterpart in terms of competitiveness, with Vernicha James – fastest so far this year – Shani Anderson and Joice Maduaka, who completed a 100/200m double in Loughborough, taking part.