KATE AVERY will hope to turn the tables on British team-mate Gemma Steel when she competes in the European Cross-Country Championships in France later this month.

Shildon Harrier Avery was one of six British women named in the senior squad for the European Championships earlier today, and the event, which is staged on Sunday, December 13, will give her the opportunity to finally get the better of Steel, who has pipped her in two recent major outings.

The pair were involved in a thrilling finish to last year’s European Championships, with Steel outsprinting her North-East rival in Samokov, and they were at it again at the trials last weekend with Steel once again coming out on top.

They will start as two of the favourites for this month’s race in Hyeres, having been named on a British team that also features Lauren Howarth, Sonia Samuels, Steph Twell and Elle Vernon.

Morpeth Harrier Jonathan Taylor has been named on the senior men’s squad after a strong showing at last weekend’s trials that helped his Northumberland club claim the team title.

Taylor, who is a student at Teesside University, was the winner of this year’s Blaydon Race and finished sixth in Liverpool to claim his place in France.

Northalleron’s Marc Scott is named in the Under-23 men’s squad as he embarks on a crucial spell he hopes will lead to Olympic qualification for Rio.

Scott, who has spent much of the last few years racing in the United States as part of a sports scholarship, will return to Europe for this month’s event before heading back to his Tulsa training base to continue preparing for a track campaign that will see him target both the 5,000m and 10,000m.