Lewis-Francis backed for GB place

Devonish (right) beat Lewis-Francis into third at the trials

Marlon Devonish has backed Mark Lewis-Francis to take the third 100m slot at the World Championships.

Devonish and Craig Pickering will definitely run in Osaka while Lewis-Francis, who finished third in the trial, will have to wait and see.

"I think he should be picked but I do understand where (UK Athletics performance director) Dave Collins is coming from," Devonish told BBC Sport.

"But I do think Mark is that edge ahead of everybody else."

Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Lewis-Francis's career has stalled, but there are signs he might be returning to something like his best form.

Mark is now a mature man rather than an immature kid of 18 who would have thrown his toys out of the pram Mark Lewis-Francis's coach Tony Lester

Lewis-Francis, who was selected for the 4x100m relay squad, will now run at the London Grand Prix on Friday in an attempt to convince Collins that he is worthy of a place in the team.

The 24-year-old's coach Tony Lester admitted the sprinter was upset at not being included in the first wave of selections for Osaka.

But Lester said Lewis-Francis would put his unhappiness to one side and get on with the task in hand.

"The biggest problem you have is that after you do the trials, you have a big low, then you have to get yourself up for another big race," said Lester.

"Mark is now a mature man rather than an immature kid of 18 who would have thrown his toys out of the pram.

"What we have to take from the decision is that the door is not closed, so hopefully on Friday he will do something special and then the matter is over."

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the GB squad

Collins insisted that Lewis-Francis was still very much in his thoughts.

"Mark Lewis-Francis is a changed athlete and working very, very hard with his coach and his support staff," said Collins.

"He has done a fantastic performance at the weekend - and that's with preparations inhibited by injury.

"But Simeon Williamson also had a very, very good summer - unfortunately he missed the trials through illness.

"I want to give us the opportunity to pick the best permutation of athletes who are going to go and perform and learn from the experience."