Bradshaw battle

HOLLY BRADSHAW has revealed the “nightmare” logistical challenge of getting to Poland in shape to lead Britain’s medal charge at the European Indoor Athletics Championships.

The pole vault star is favourite for gold tomorrow but she has arrived in Torun having been unable to compete in five out of eight possible events due to cancellations and Covid restrictions.

Bradshaw, who was denied the opportunity to win the World Indoor Tour because Spain wouldn’t allow UK residents into the country, said: “It’s been a hugely frustrating indoor season, logistically an absolute nightmare.

“I’ve worked so hard and I’ve taken Covid tests left, right and centre. I’ve not left my house other than to train.”

Jamie Webb is Britain’s other gold medal favourite at the three-day event, where he attempts to end the nation’s 31-year wait for an 800m successor to Tom Mckean.

“I have high expectations of myself,” he said.

NEIL WARNOCK has extended his contract at Middlesbrough by 12 months and pledged to have fun.

At 72, Warnock is the second-oldest serving manager in the country behind Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson – but he refused to let age prevent an encore at the Riverside.

Boro are five points off the Championship play-off places and Warnock has not given up hope of a record ninth promotion after chairman Steve Gibson persuaded him to remain at the club for the

by MIKE WALTERS

2021-22 season. He said: “Steve has been pestering me to stay on for months.

“He said, ‘You can’t leave on an empty stadium, you have to find out what it’s like with 30,000 of our fans here and finish on a high.’

“The pandemic has been such a long, hard slog for managers and players – we want to have some fun. We are long shots for promotion this year, and everyone will more or less have written us off, but I think it’s doable if my lot pull their fingers out and stop making stupid mistakes.”