ATHLETICS: Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Shelley Newman has a make-or-break weekend ahead in her bid to qualify for next month's World Athletic Championships.

Newman aims for 63.40 metres in Saturday's discus trials at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, to achieve the A qualifying standard.

The 29-year-old from Surrey, who recently moved to Kidderminster, has broken the English record three times in the past and is the current holder with 61.22m thrown in June.

But six-footer Newman, ranked number 22 in the world, still has to outdo main British rival Philippa Roles, of Wales, as they have both reached the 59.75m B standard.

The University of Birmingham lecturer said: "It would be fantastic to get to the A standard and would certainly stop the worrying.

"I have much more chance of getting selected for the Worlds if I can. It is the kind of distance I can throw out but just haven't yet.

"But I wouldn't be that disappointed if I didn't as it's a big distance and they are asking a lot. They are trying to cut down the number of people in the Worlds and field events are not so popular now."

Newman beat the rest of the field at an international meet in Croatia and at the Dutch Championships over the last month but admitted she could have done with stronger competition.

She confessed: "I didn't throw as well as I maybe could have done if I'd had somebody to push me a bit more."

After gaining a discus bronze at last year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the Belgrave Harriers athlete, coached by her husband Lee, would like the chance to make a world impact in Paris next month.

Newman declared her recent record throw was aided by being able to train regularly at Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club, while Halesowen have also offered their facilities.

She said: "It's been a massive thing for me as I'd had so many problems finding training venues in recent years. They have been really encouraging and nice at Stourport.

"I've been able to throw as often as possible with quality short sessions which is great as I work full time.

"I'd especially like to thank the coach there, Ron Oliver, and David Knott at Stourport High School for their help."

In the past, Newman has been a finalist in the World Student Games, World Junior Championships and the European Championships.

She has won a string of gold medals at the WAAA National Championships and Southern Championships.