East aiming high

East is hoping to impress the British selectors as he runs in Milan

Commonwealth 1,500m champion Michael East has set his sights on World Championship glory as he begins his outdoor season.

East, one of England's 12 gold medallists in Manchester last summer, faces a string of tough African opponents at the Notturna di Milano Grand Prix on Tuesday.

The Newham & Essex Beagle hopes to make considerable inroads into his personal best of three minutes 37.35 seconds as he targets success in Paris later this year.

But the 25-year-old accepts he has to improve drastically to reach the World Championship qualifying mark of 3:34.90.

"But I suppose this year I'm going to have to put my neck on the line if I want to get fast times," said East.

"This is my first 1500 of the year and judging by my 1:47.3 (in the 800m in Germany last week), I should run reasonably quickly.

"The good thing about meetings like this is there is no pressure and you can get on and do what you want to achieve."

East is hoping British selectors choose him to race over two laps at next month's Spar European SuperLeague Cup final.

John Mayock, Anthony Whiteman and James Thies will also come into contention.