'Danny is good enough to pick up my relay baton' - Bath Chronicle, The

Danny Talbot will need to benefit from a revamped Team GB 4x100mrelay line-up if he is to follow in Jason Gardener's goldenfootsteps.

The Bath Bullet kicked off Britain's successful quartet in Athenseight years ago and now hopes to see fellow University of Bathtrainee Talbot bag Olympic glory in London - if he can force his wayinto the team.

The 21-year-old is not an established figure in the nationalrelay set-up and his failure to earn a place in an individual eventat the Games could also hamper his chances. Performances at therecent European Championships, however, could force the selectorsinto a rethink. Talbot won his first major medal by finishing thirdin the 200m in Helsinki, while the relay team of Christian Malcolm,Dwain Chambers, James Ellington and Mark Lewis-Francis failed to getthe baton around in their final.

'Danny's been doing well over the 200m, so he has to look at oneof the spots on the bend and you'd hope that the EuropeanChampionships would work in his favour,' said Gardener, who won goldalongside Lewis-Francis, Darren Campbell and Marlon Devonish. 'Ayear ago Danny probably would not have expected this to happen andit was just a dream for him to be at London 2012 but he has gotgreat potential and has earned his place on merit.

'It will probably be difficult for Danny to make it into theteam, though, as the guys who are in the individual events have thechance to impress through the rounds.

'He has maybe run faster times than some of those guys this yearbut others have got the experience which counts for a lot.

'But he's got a great coach in Dan Cossins and I'm sure Dannywill go in with a professional attitude and do his all to impress.'

Team GB's selectors have plenty to pick from, with eight men allvying for a place. Young sprint sensation Adam Gemili looks certainto be among the chosen four, while Simeon Williamson and JamesDasalou are also in contention.

And although relay results have taken a backward step since hisheyday, 36-year-old Gardener still believes there is time for theBritish team to come good - whoever gets the nod on the startline.

'Whichever four the selectors pick will be the best people forthe job - they won't leave anything to chance,' said Gardener. 'Allof the guys who are in the squad will know their role within it andwill be working to get the best possible result for the team.

'The thing about our four in Athens was that we worked togetherfor so many years and we knew exactly what we were capable of.

'This is a relatively new team and they've had a few difficultiesbut which teams haven't? It's a global sport and they are competingright at the top level.'

Meanwhile, Talbot's coach also believes he stands a great chanceof being selected for tomorrow evening's relay heats. 'Training wentreally well in Portugal and the feedback I have got is that Danny'schange-overs in relay practice have been the fastest in the group,'said Cossins, who hails from Bathampton.

'Whether that will be the criteria by which they pick the teamfor the relay, I don't know. Obviously the 100m guys look in goodshape as they all reached the semi-finals so I guess it depends onwhat our 200m sprinters do.

'It will be interesting and exciting to see what happens and Ireally hope Danny gets a run in the team in the heats.

'But no matter what, I know he is enjoying the experience as awhole and it is great for him in his development as a seniorinternational athlete.' Read Jason Gardener's thoughts on DaiGreene and Usain Bolt at www.thisisbath.co.uk.