Hayley McLean's Commonwealth Games wait

The 19-year-old 400m hurdler ran a stunning time of 56.50s in Belgium last week to give herself an outside shot of making the England team for the Games.

The time was a B-standard qualification time for the Games and ranks her second in England.

But she missed out on running sub 57 seconds again in Marseille last Saturday, something she fears may well have damaged her chances of selection.

The former Palmer’s College student is remaining upbeat whatever the outcome of the selection process, which is taking place this week, and is delighted with how her season has gone so far.

“I’m thinking the worst then I can’t be disappointed,” said McLean, the reigning European Junior champion. “I always knew it would be a tough ask. It would be my first senior vest and at a massive event like the Commonwealths. It’s hard to process.

“I think if I had run inside 57 seconds (the B-standard time) again in France on Saturday I would have had a better chance but the preparations weren’t quite right for that and I think I was still on a massive high from running 56.50s a few days earlier.

“That was my aim for the season, to run 56.50s, and I’ve done that already so know I feel really relaxed about everything.

“I’m happy with where I am, regardless of whether I get selected or not.

“Of course, it would be amazing to represent England. It makes me cry a little bit thinking about it. I really don’t know whether it will happen or not, it’s hard to say but I know I have given everything to make it happen. If it happens it happens, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. I’m just happy with the progress I have made.”

Another Thurrock athlete in with a chance of making the team is Linford’s Amir Williamson who has two B-standard distances for the hammer and is the third-ranked English athlete.

The selectors met on Monday to draw up the England team but expect a flurry of protests meaning the team will not be made public until next week.