NEWPORT flier Christian Malcolm has sent out a chilling warning to his fellow British sprinters ahead of the World Championship trials.

"I know I can do it - and the big events bring the best out of me," insists the 24-year-old Eveswell ace.

Malcolm feared he might be forced to pull-out of this weekend's Great Britain trials at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium due to a severe bout of 'flu but yesterday he declared himself fit and ready.

The Cardiff Athletic Club runner said: "If there was a doubt in my mind that I wasn't 100 per cent fit and ready then, believed me, I wouldn't be here.

"I was knocked out for a few days but I've been training this week and I feel much better now. I've still got the sniffles but that won't stop me."

Malcolm, who travelled up to the Midlands yesterday, will double-up and compete in both the 100m and 200m to try and get into the British squad that will fly to Paris late next month for the ninth IAAF World Championships (Aug 23-31).

Malcolm's preferred event is the 200m and he knows he is up against a very strong field, all of whom have a good chance of one of the two guaranteed World Championship berths.

Dwain Chambers, former Commonwealth champion Julian Golding and fellow Gwent-based sprinter Darren Campbell are threats. Although Malcolm does have the psychological edge as he pipped them to the line at the Norwich Union Super League meeting in Gateshead earlier this month.

The former Hartridge Comprehensive School student is also prepared for a challenge from world indoor champion Marlon Devonish and Harvard graduate Chris Lambert, who has clocked the fastest time this year at last week's European Under-23 Championships.

But Malcolm pointed out: "When I run at my best, I know I can beat anyone. "I won up at Gateshead and beat the best in the process so I know I can do it."

Malcolm has a knack of producing the goods on the major stage. As a 21-year-old, he reached the 2000 Olympic Games final before running a personal best 20.08secs at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, where he just missed out on a medal.

And Malcolm made the Commonwealth Games and European Championship finals in 2002, finishing eighth and fourth respectively, despite an injury-ravaged year.

Speaking about today's trials, he admitted: "I'm looking forward to it but I'm, as ever, really nervous. However, I won't let it get to me.

"Before the racing starts, I'll just be chilling out and playing games on my Playstation to try and take my mind of things, which is pretty difficult. I'm feeling pretty fine now and all I can do is give it my best shot."

Malcolm runs in the 100m heats at 2.20pm today before the 100m final at 6.45pm. The 200m heat is tomorrow at 4.10pm and that final is at 6.20pm.

Picture: Christian Malcolm