BLACKWOOD'S Bradley Dredge continued his superb recent form at the German Masters this morning, meaning he is likely to confirm his place in the GB and Ireland line-up for the Seve Trophy, which starts in a fortnight.

Dredge, who teed off at 8.30 this morning, was the clubhouse leader at lunchtime today after an wonderful round of 66, which saw make six birdies and 12 pars.

He is now in a great position to challenge for another tour title, and is well placed to qualify for the Seve Trophy.

The lucrative competition, which employs a team format (like the Ryder Cup) pits a Jose Maria Olazabal-skippered team of Europeans against Colin Montgomerie's GB and Ireland side.

Five players have confirmed their withdrawal from the competition, due to be staged at the The Wynyard in County Durham.

Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald have told Colin Montgomerie they are not available to play for his Britain and Ireland side, while Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer will not compete for the European side captained by Jose Maria Olazabal.

That means Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell qualify for Montgomerie's side from the world rankings. Thomas Bjorn, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson qualify for the European side.

The next four places will be decided from the Order of Merit after this week's Linde German Masters in Cologne.

As things stand, Ian Poulter, Stephen Dodd, Dredge and Nick Dougherty occupy those positions for the home side, while Peter Hanson, Jean-Francois Remesy, Maarten Lafeber and Emanuele Canonica make up Olazabal's team.

Montgomerie was philosophical about the withdrawals from his side, which is aiming for a hat-trick of victories. "We're self-employed," he said. "I've lost three players but that's fine."

The Seve Trophy enjoys a high level of television coverage and appearing in it would add to Dredge's ever growing credentials as one of the leading lights on the European Tour, having broken into the top 20 on the Volvo Order of Merit.

Dredge, who has finished in the top 20 for five successive tournaments going into the German Masters today, has already earned around £500,000 but is now chasing a Tour victory, something that has eluded him since the Madeira Island Open in 2002.

Among those looking to deny Dredge his first victory of the season are the top three players in Europe this year, US Open winner Michael Campbell, South African Retief Goosen and seven time Order of Merit winner Montgomerie. Englishman Barry Lane also shot 66 this morning.