World Championships 2019 news - Dina Asher-Smith and Laura Muir spearhead 72-strong team for GB

They are targeting between seven and nine medals next month, with Dina Asher-Smith, Laura Muir and Katarina Johnson-Thompson the outstanding hopes following on from the success of the past 12 months.

At London 2017, GB won six medals, while in Beijing two years earlier, the team went one better - but there is growing belief that as many as nine podium places can be obtained from the event taking place between September 27 and October 6.

Asher-Smith is a triple European champion and IAAF Diamond League runner-up this year over 200m while Johnson-Thompson has medalled at each major championships she has attended since London 2017.

British 1500m champion Muir, alongside Zharnel Hughes and Matthew Hudson-Smith won individual European gold last summer to earn their place in the team.

Neil Black, British Athletics Performance director, said: "Given the standard of performances from British athletes this season, and the strength in depth we possess in several events, finalising the team was far from easy and there were some tough decisions to make.

The team is full of world class athletes who over the past two years since we were the hosts in London have proven that they belong on the global stage.

"We have selected more women than men once again for a major championships and special mention needs to go to Martyn Rooney, who is competing at his eight World Championships, a truly remarkable feat for a great athlete."

In total, 44 athletes return to the world stage having earned selection for London two years ago, including world indoor hurdles champion Andrew Pozzi.

Twenty-four athletes will make a World Championships debut, including European indoor silver medallists Jamie Webb and Tim Duckworth and British champions Ojie Edoburun, Neil Gourley, Harry Coppell and Ben Williams.

Kyle Langford receives the third men’s 800m spot, while Jake Wightman has secured a 1500m place.

Meanwhile, Mo Farah is yet to confirm whether he will race as the defending 10,000m champion, but the team does not feature any male athletes in that event at present.

Eilish McColgan and Steph Twell have been named for the 25-lap discipline, with McColgan set to double up in the 5000m where she will be joined by Jessica Judd and Laura Weightman.