Radcliffe will sharpen up for the summer by doubling up in Portugal

The 31-year-old was only scheduled to race over 5,000m but stepped in to replace Jo Pavey, who withdrew from the team because of a foot injury.

Radcliffe is determined to help Great Britain's women's team win promotion back to the Super League from Group B.

She said: "Our women's team needs to be up in the Super League with the men and we are capable of doing that."

The marathon world record holder was also more than happy to double up as she tunes-up for August's World Championships.

Radcliffe has yet to decide whether she will contest the 10,000m or the marathon in Helsinki and she believes this weekend's action in Leiria will help make up her mind.

"By doing both events it will be good a chance to race," said Radcliffe.

I am going to use the races to bring me on and see where I am at before getting back into a hard spell of training Paula Radcliffe

"I do not get much of an opportunity to do that at the moment.

"Hopefully I am going to use the races to bring me on and see where I am at before getting back into a hard spell of training."

Despite the boost from Radcliffe, the women's team must do without Dame Kelly Holmes.

The double Olympic champion has suffered a recurrence of an Achilles problem and has been replaced in the 800m by Jemma Simpson.

Olympic bronze heptathlon medallist Kelly Sotherton goes in the long jump while Helen Clitheroe contests the 1500m and Sarah Claxton goes in the 100m hurdles.

The men's team, captained by Darren Campbell, compete in the Super League event in Florence, which begins on 17 June.

Women's team:

100m: Joice Maduaka
200m: Joice Maduaka
400m:Donna Fraser
800m: Jemma Simpson
1500m: Helen Clitheroe
3000m: Jo Pavey
5000m: Paula Radcliffe
100m hurdles: Sarah Claxton
3000m steeplechase: Jo Ankier
High Jump: Julia Bennett
Pole Vault: Janine Whitlock
Long Jump: Kelly Sotherton
Triple Jump: Jasmine Regis
Shot: Joanne Duncan
Discus: Philippa Roles
Hammer: Shirley Webb
Javelin:Goldie Sayers
4x100m: Diane Allahgreen, Susan Deacon, Katherine Endacott, Laura Turner, Emma Ania
4x400m: Fraser, McConnell, Catherine Murphy, Christine Ohuruogo, Kim Wall