Athletics: Regis is fit and raring to go in European Cup

JOHN REGIS was cleared yesterday to spearhead Britain's European Cup challenge in Rome this weekend. The Belgrave sprinter, who has been troubled by a knee injury, was given two injections in his knee and told that he will be fit to run the 200 metres and sprint relay.

Regis, worried that he might have been sidelined by the problem, said: 'It's great to know I'll be able to run.' It was also welcome news for the team management because Regis, the fastest European over 100m and 200m this summer, could be a key member as the men's squad seek to regain the title they lost in controversial circumstances in Frankfurt two years ago.

Having revealed the injury after beating David Grindley over 300m in Belfast last Saturday, Regis yesterday visited the specialist Dr Ken Kingsbury in an effort to clear up the trouble.

'According to Ken, I'm fine now,' Regis said. 'He discovered that one of the ligaments underneath the knee cap was inflamed slightly. He took some fluid out and gave me two injections to calm it down.

'It's really good news as no one wants to get injuries at this stage of the season. There's no way I wanted to miss the European Cup. I was worried it might be something serious, which would have been the last thing I needed after starting so well in world championship season.'

Italy, meanwhile, will be without two top athletes through injury in Rome, Gennaro Di Napoli (1500m) and Salvatore Antibo, the European champion over 5,000m and 10,000m.

Matthew Yates, the best prospect to lift British 1500m running, makes his first appearance of the season in Britain's TSB challenge match against the United States in Edinburgh on 2 July. Yates takes on Steve Cram, who is breaking from his 5,000m preparations, and David Stang.