Campbell steps down as captain

Darren Campbell has been forced to withdraw from this weekend's European Cup in Bremen because of a troublesome hamstring injury.

"Having missed training and a number of competitions over the last few weeks, I have taken the extremely difficult decision to stand down as captain," Campbell said. "On advice from my coach, I feel this is the only option open to me so I can totally focus on preparing for the AAAs [Amateur Athletic Association Championships] and World Championships."

The discus thrower Bob Weir, who led Britain to European Cup victory at Gateshead last year, will captain the side in the absence of Campbell – who joins Jason Gardener, Daniel Caines, Nathan Morgan, Donna Fraser, Michelle Griffith and Sinead Dudgeon in missing the event because of injury.

"Fortunately the replacements we have been able to call upon are such that our overall points score should not be radically affected," said the UK Athletics performance director, Max Jones.

"It is always a difficult time of year for athletes who are preparing for the Norwich Union World Trials, the AAAs and the World Championships. Any niggle has to be treated cautiously."