World champion James Magnus-sen says Ian Thorpe has an outside chance of sneaking a spot in Australia’s relay team as the swimming great struggles in his London Olympics comeback.

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Thorpe, the holder of 13 world records, announced a return to the pool in February last year following his retirement in November 2006, but it has been a rocky road with modest times so far in his comeback swims.

While Magnussen seems as-sured of his place in the Australian Olympic team ahead of next month’s Games trials in Adelaide, Thorpe’s hopes appear to be getting slimmer.

“I think it would have to be said it’s proven to be a lot more difficult than everybody first thought,” Mag-nussen said.

“I’m not sure what his expectations are, going into the Olympic trials, but I think he would be an outside chance of sneaking a spot on one of the relays teams.

“That, however, would have to depend on how his training is going.”