UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins remains open-minded over whether Paula Radcliffe will be fit enough to compete at the Olympic Games.

The 34-year-old world marathon record holder is attempting to recover from the stress fracture to her left thigh which is threatening her participation in Beijing.

It is almost a month since Radcliffe revealed she was determined to prove wrong the medical advice which claimed the injury would make it impossible for her to compete over the distance.

Since learning of the injury Radcliffe has returned to her training base at Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees in a bid to make a fourth successive Olympic appearance.

Collins, who is closely monitoring the situation, said: "It's a significant injury and certainly she's been very committed and worked well.

"She's in the pool and cross training but not actually running.

"As you would expect from an athlete committed to putting herself on the start line, we will give her all the help we can.

"I think there is a progression we would hope to see and that was laid down in the original plan.

"All the reports I am getting is that she is on schedule."

Radcliffe has already been selected for Team GB along with Liz Yelling and Mara Yamauchi, with Hayley Haining waiting in the sidelines should be forced to withdraw.

Collins added: "We can enter four as long as they're qualified - the absolute deadline is when I sign off the team in Beijing.

"I would want to give her as much time as possible to see if she is capable of taking her place.

"What I know is we've got a set of benchmarks and a programme which we're working to and I'm very happy to report that's on schedule and we'll see how that progress continues.

"We'll take it as far as we can to the wire," added Collins.

That suggests Collins will wait until July 20 before making a decision on Radcliffe as that is when he declares the final team to the British Olympic Association.

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