Athletics: Knee injury forces Backley to miss Cup

STEVE BACKLEY has withdrawn from the British team for the European Cup in Paris this weekend because of a problem with his right knee.

Mick Hill replaces him in the javelin, while in the shot Mark Edwards comes in for Mark Proctor, who pulled out after tearing a muscle in training.

"I have a problem with my right knee which has been compounded by throwing technically badly in my first three competitions," Backley said yesterday. "I am having intensive treatment and I am hopeful it will respond."

In all, the British men's team now has second-choice athletes competing in six events and will also be missing European 400 metres champion Iwan Thomas from the 4x400 metres relay squad.

Germany's team, including former Olympic 5,000 metres champion Dieter Baumann and European steeplechase gold medallist Damian Kallabis. are now favourites in the men's competition, while Russia are expected to retain their title on the women's side.