Murray set to return after a series of calamities

The 28-year-old Scot makes her first Great Britain appearance in over a year at the European Cross Country Championships in Velenje after a series of niggles and strains condemned her to a summer on the sidelines. The two-time Commonwealth Games finalist, is targeting a second top ten performance in a strong GB line-up that has its sights set on team gold.

However, there were times this year when Murray felt fate was conspiring against her. “It has been really frustrating,” she revealed. “I kept thinking: ‘It’s only going to be another couple of weeks.’ Then something else would happen, or something would be worse than we’d thought. I felt that the past year has been going from one calamity to another. I just want to draw a line under all of that and enjoy what’s left of this year before turning towards 2012.”

Commonwealth medallist Steph Twell runs in the Under-23 race in her first major event after breaking her ankle last February. And although the Scottish prospect has played down her prospects, Murray believes she cannot be written off.

“I’m pretty sure Steph will run well,” she said. “Even if she doesn’t, it’s only a matter of time before she gets back to being her old self. Hopefully she gets in a good run this weekend and that’ll get her closer and boost her confidence looking towards next year.”

Matthew Gillespie, Matthew Graham and Derek Hawkins all run for GB in the men’s Under-23 race, while Dundee-based teen Laura Muir makes her international debut in the junior women’s event.