Ennis misses her hometown event

THE absence of local favourite Jessica Ennis means the spotlight will once again be on Dwain Chambers at this weekend's Aviva World Trials and UK Championships.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Feb 2010, 23:09 BST
Updated 12th Feb 2010, 23:10 BST

World heptathlon champion Ennis has pulled out of the event in her home city of Sheffield as a precaution after suffering a minor foot injury.

The 24-year-old is already assured of her place at the World Indoor Championships in Doha next month, where she will look to add the pentathlon title to the heptathlon gold she won outdoors in Berlin last year.

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But competition for places elsewhere will be intense, with a maximum of two athletes allowed to compete in each individual event and only the winner in Sheffield guaranteed a place providing they have, or subsequently achieve, the qualifying standard.

One of the most competitive events promises to be in the men's 60 metres, where Chambers will be up against the likes of Mark Lewis-Francis and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Outdoor world bronze medallist Jenny Meadows will be looking to stamp her authority on the 800m and Middlesbrough's Chris Tomlinson is seeking a seventh UK title in the long jump following victory on his season's debut in Glasgow last month.

Among the local interest at the English Institute of Sport is Luke Cutts and his Dearneside clubmate Rhys Searles in the pole vault, Rotherham's Louise Bloor in the women's 60m, Wakefield Harrier Zara Hohn in the 60m hurdles and York's Richard Buck in the 400m .

Related topics:SheffieldBerlin