Collins wants to see signs of improvement from Team GB

Last year, Great Britain only escaped relegation as the nine-lane Malaga track had room for an extra qualifier.

"We need athletes to step up to the plate," Collins told the European Athletics website.

"Next year's event only has eight lanes so there'll be no last-minute reprieves should we not perform to standard."

In the men's competition, Germany will be looking to complete a hat-trick of wins, in the knowledge they are hosting next year's tournament in Munich.

Britain have sent a sizeable contingent to the two-day meeting in Malaga, including Dwain Chambers.

The British men's team is missing big names such as injured sprint trio Jason Gardener, Darren Campbell and Mark Lewis-Francis, but Dwain Chambers is included after serving his drugs ban.

The other teams competing are France, Italy, Poland, Russia, hosts Spain and promoted Ukraine and Finland.

In the women's competition, Russia are looking for a 10th consecutive victory.

The top-two finishing men's and women's teams go on to compete at the World Cup in Athens on 16-17 September, against hosts Greece and continental select teams from Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the United States.