NEWPORT'S Christian Malcolm says it's going to be tough over 200m in Birmingham this weekend - and none will be tougher to beat than his mate Dwain Chambers.

Malcolm, pictured, and Chambers will be track rivals at today's AAA Championships at Alexander Stadium which doubles as the trial for the British team for the European Championships in Munich next month.

Chambers is currently in the form of his life and has even opted to run just the 200m this weekend.

In contrast, Malcom is still struggling to find his top form, and the British number one - for the last two years running - faces a quality field in Birmingham with Olympic silver medalist Darren Campbell in opposition.

But Malcolm has a habit of saving his best for the big races and although he is battling his way back from a virus that has hampered his season so far, the World and European Indoor silver medalist is gunning for a place in the British team in Munich.

But so is Chambers and while Malcolm is short of his best form, Chambers is firing on all cylinders having run 20.27 secs in Athens this season.

In a bid to improve his fitness, Malcolm is running in the 100m, as well as the 200, but with Mark Lewis-Francis and Jason Gardener in good form over the shorter sprint distances, Malcolm knows he has to really focus on the 200m.

He said: "It's going to be close in Brimingham, I've got to be ready to really go for it.

"Dwain is in the form of his life and there are so many big names all looking to get their place in Munich, there's a lot riding on this weekend."

Malcolm isn't the only Welshman looking to make a mark in Birmingham.

Triple jumper Steve Shalders will be jumping against world champion Jonathan Edwards, but the champ is wounded having been beaten in Sheffield eight days ago.

Phillips Idowu inflicted Edwards' first defeat by a fellow Brit in five years and the pair will clash with Shalders on Sunday.

Shalders said: "This is going to be a massive weekend for all the Welsh boys in Birmingham, we have all got something to prove and I'll be delighted to do well in such a strong field."

No one has more to prove than Iwan Thomas and the European champion says he will not give up his 400m crown without a fight.

The Welsh star, who has struggled badly with injury since winning European gold four years ago, needs a top two finish at the Norwich Union Trials to qualify for this year's championships.