Kelly Sotherton

Kelly Sotherton will draw inspiration from her performance in the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham as she prepares to do battle with rival Carolina Kluft at next month's World Indoor Championships.

The Briton was forced to play second fiddle to the imperious Swede on Saturday but her performance at the National Indoor Arena will have buoyed her ahead of a clash with Kluft, who is unbeaten in multi-events for five years.

Sotherton, who struck nearly two seconds from her previous 400m fastest, said: "If I'd had a half decent long jump I could have won. I think I showed that win, lose or draw I will always come out fighting."

In an enthralling three-event challenge competition, Commonwealth heptathlon champion Sotherton lost out by just 18 points in their long jump, 60metres hurdles and 400m encounters.

After a disappointing long jump she nearly pulled off a shock victory with thrilling successes in the low hurdles and 400m.

Phillips Idowu also offered form which suggests he can medal in Spain, four times clearing over the world class benchmark of 17m in the triple jump.

Last year's European Indoor champion's furthest effort of 17.21m came with his opening jump as he won easily from Dmitrij Valukevic and Kenta Bell.

"I had a few problems with my run-up but I know I can now come in week in, week out and do 17.20s," said Idowu, knowing a bigger jump will be required in Valencia. "I'll need a bit more but that's fine, there's more to come."

Simeon Williamson staked his final claim for a place in the Norwich Union GB when slicing three-hundredths-of-a-second from his 60m personal best with a time of 6.57sec.