Heptathlon duo in medal contention

Great Britain duo Kelly Sotherton and Jessica Ennis head into the final day of the heptathlon at the World Championships confident they can remain in the fight for a medal after posting impressive performances in Osaka.

Birchfield Harrier Sotherton and Sheffield's Ennis both posted personal bests in the 100metres hurdles and 200m to sit third and fourth respectively behind defending champion Carolina Kluft and Ukraine's Lyudmila Blonska with three events remaining.

Sotherton said: "Every performance was consistent and I know that I can carry that on to Sunday, which means I know I can win a medal - so anything less than that is a disappointment."

In the last event of the day, Jo Pavey almost grabbed Great Britain's first medal of the championships but was beaten into fourth place in the 10,000m final.

Triple-jumper Phillips Idowu made a solid return from a two-month lay-off to ease into Monday's final with a solitary jump of 17.07m.

"I was really relaxed and I could have opened out a bit more," said Idowu afterwards.

"But if I can jump like that, the way I did, I am confident that when I am under more pressure I can go further.

"The main job was to come here and make sure I am in the final, and I have done that."