Brave Holmes is in with a shout

Kelly Holmes is hoping she can plunder another major championship medal from an injury-hit season with a little help from gold medal favourite Maria Mutola in Paris tonight.

The 33-year-old, who only opted to do the 800m a few days ago, has been living and training with Mozambique's double champion in South Africa.

Holmes qualified for the final on her friend's coat-tails as she was pulled to a season's best time at the Stade de France.

Now Holmes believes she could pick up a third medal - eight years after winning 800m bronze and silver in the 1500m.

"It would be wrong to say we didn't have a plan, but making a pre-race plan doesn't mean it's going to come off," she said.

"There is one person who can help you but six others who can get in the way. Maria said 'Come on Kel' on the home straight and that is nice because it wakes you up a bit and it gave me an extra burst.

"Sometimes in a race you can become complacent, so her shouting that made me go for it."