European Indoor Championships: Paula Radcliffe criticises selection

Paula Radcliffe has criticised new British Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson for failing to pick any male 1500m runners in his 29-member squad for next month's European Indoor Championships in Sweden.

"Totally ridiculous," the women's marathon world record holder tweeted.

Eriksson argues his focus is on beating the eight medals won at the same meeting in Paris two years ago.

"None of the 1500m guys are top-six potential," the Swede, 60, said.

"The first page and the first sentence on the selection criteria is that we will be selecting only top-six potential. We follow the criteria that was determined quite a while ago."

The squad is the first to be named by Eriksson since he officially took over from Charles Van Commenee in December.

Van Commenee stepped down as UK Athletics head coach when Team GB fell two short of his own target of eight athletics medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

Eriksson is confident that a team captained by defending women's 800m champion Jenny Meadows can beat the medal haul from two years ago.

"I want us to do well and I think we have a team that can do really well. I am positive," he said.

The championships take place in Gothenburg from 1-3 March, and Meadows will be joined in the squad by Holly Bleasdale,Robbie Grabarz, Dwain Chambers and Christine Ohuruogu.