Injury scare for Lewis-Francis

Britain's Mark Lewis-Francis has suffered a major injury scare ahead of next month's European Indoor Championships in Paris.

Lewis-Francis, who won silver medals in the European Championships and Commonwealth Games last year, picked up a groin injury 10metres from the line in the first heat of the 60m in the Aviva Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old, competing in front of his home crowd in Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, was able to complete the race but then slumped to the track in obvious pain.

The former Olympic relay gold medallist was eventually able to hobble off the track and was being assessed by UK Athletics medical staff to determine the extent of the problem.

Lewis-Francis is currently battling with compatriot Craig Pickering for the final place in the 60m in Paris.

Lewis-Francis finished fourth and Pickering third in the trials, but Lewis-Francis has the qualifying time and Pickering does not.

Pickering will have one last chance to do so, however, after advancing to the final of the 60m today by finishing third in the opening heat.

There was further bad injury news in the men's pole vault, with Britain's Steve Lewis falling awkwardly after failing with his second attempt at 5.50m.

Lewis required lengthy attention on the mat before being taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected fracture to the thumb on his left hand.