Mo Farah admits he is "really disappointed" at not being able to defend his European cross-country title in Toro as he recovers from a groin injury.
At one stage Farah was considering chasing back-to-back titles at the north Spain venue on Sunday, but realised it could wreck his preparations for next year's Olympic Games.
"I'm really disappointed, I would have loved to have defended my title," said the 24-year-old who romped to a superb victory 12 months ago in Italy to become only the second Briton to claim the title.
The 2006 European silver medallist is now established as a world-class 5000 metres runner.
The Somalia-born athlete's victory last year followed his positive runners-up display on the track in Gothenburg and confirmed the progress he has made since winning the 2001 European cross-country junior silver medal.
He has listened to the advice of coach Alan Storey and is now focusing on next year's Olympics in Beijing.
"It's not going to happen, I've been injured for a while and although I am now recovering, I daren't risk it," said Farah.
"I'm back into running and I would have loved to be there.
"But the Olympics remain the priority," added the Teddington-based athlete who leaves next week for a warm-weather training camp and will spend Christmas in South Africa.
His absence means there is little chance the senior men will produce an individual medallist and will be stretched to match their fourth team position of a year ago.
The women, who were denied team honours on countback to Portugal, are more optimistic, despite being without Commonwealth 5000m silver medallist Jo Pavey.
"Who knows what the course will throw up?" said the highly experienced Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Liz Yelling, who will be making her 10th championships appearance.
"We're going to have to produce something extra on the day without Jo, but all the girls have been running really well just recently."
Yelling, a top-10 finisher on five occasions, believes her sister-in-law and 2004 champion Hayley Yelling could again get among the medals.
She said: "She's been running really well just lately and I think there is a strong possibility that Hayley can, depending who actually starts, do it.
"I've been running better than last year and Kate Reed is in top form.
"Hatti Dean also seems to pull something out of the bag on big occasions like this."
Dean, the British 3000m steeplechase record holder, was a revelation at the World Championships in Mombasa in March where she was the second European finisher.
Realistically though, Team GB's medal hopes will again rest with their junior women counterparts.
Steph Twell is aiming to become the first girl to defend her junior title, while the team will be chasing a third successive win and their fifth in six years.
Felicity Milton, who competed as a senior last year, could also add another victory to last year's.
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