Rome, Aug 2 (DPA) American Scott Tyler Clary Sunday led the field into the final of the men's 400m individual medley in a time of 4:10.04 at the world swimming championships here.

Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, who won silver in the 200m individual medley earlier in the week, finished .29 seconds off the pace, ahead of his compatriot Gergo Kis, who finished with a time of 4:10.99.

American Ryan Lochte, who won the 200m individual medley, had the fourth-fastest time and said that he did not really like racing the IM early in the morning.

'I generally back off on the 400 individual medley in the mornings, which stinks. Right now I am fourth and in lane six, which I like.

'So hopefully they won't see me.

'Anything is possible. If I play my cards right and have a really good swim anything can happen.'

He said he did not know what splits he had for the individual sectors.