Just 13 days before the opening of the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, a couple of places on the Irish team are still undecided. This weekend's National Championships in Santry will be the final showcase for selection.

James Nolan has spent much of the last month chasing the A-standard over 1,500 metres but fell just short on at least three occasions. His B-standard of three minutes 36.50, clocked in Zagreb earlier this month, is still good enough to earn his trip to Canada provided he wins the 1,500-metre title, scheduled as the last event tomorrow evening.

Although Gareth Turnbull also dipped under the B-standard with a 3:38.28 last May, he has been sidelined with the 'flu for the last week after a disappointing run at the European under-23 championships and has ruled himself out of contention. Victory here for Nolan, his first quest for a 1,500 title, would thus ensure his selection.

The AAI will finalise the team tomorrow evening and will select one B-standard athlete in each event, provided they win the national title and no other athlete has achieved the A-standard. Although Mark Carroll has run inside that mark with his 3:35.09 in Stockholm earlier this week, he is gearing towards the 5,000 metres at the Worlds and that still leaves the vacancy at 1,500 metres.

Daniel Caulfield can also seal his selection if he wins the 800 metres, and as the sole athlete with the B-standard (1:46.80 clocked in Stanford in June) his chances also look good. But with national record-holder David Matthews coming back into form, Caulfield will have to be at his best.

On the women's side, Sarah Reilly can earn a place over 200 metres should she defend the title she won last year (along with the 100 metres). Her season's best of 23.22 is well ahead of her rivals but Ciara Sheehy and Emily Maher are still likely to be right on her heals.

Another final in this afternoon's schedule is the men's 10,000 metres. SΘamus Power would have been looking to confirm his place for Edmonton but a recent hernia operation has unfortunately ruined all his plans for the summer.

Power's absence may clear the way for Noel Berkeley to win a record seventh title. Now aged 36, the flamboyant Dundrum runner shares the record six titles with Donie Walsh and as always there would be no more popular winner. Most likely to stand in his way is Dundrum club-mate Peter Matthews.

Most of the titles will be decided tomorrow, and Peter Coghlan will be looking to depart to Canada on a positive note by defending his 110 metres hurdles title. Terry McHugh can also win an incredible 18th successive title in the javelin, and few would be surprised if he reaches the B-standard of 80.50 metres in the process.