Jo Pavey's injury has dented British hopes of a high placing at the IAAF World Road Running Championships in Udine on Sunday.

Pavey picked up a groin problem a month ago and although almost back in full training, it caused her to miss a potential clash with Paula Radcliffe at the BUPA Great North Run a fortnight ago.

"She's progressing really well and almost back to full fitness but this weekend is still a little to early to start racing," said her husband and coach Gavin.

However, Pavey is expected to be racing again at the end of the month over 10 miles at the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth.

There she will face Australia's former world ross country champion Benita Johnson and Mara Yamauchi, who - in the absence of Radcliffe - has been the country's number one marathon runner for the last years.

"That's the plan although not 100% certain - her training this week will be critical in making the decision," her husband added.

Louise Damen, Wendy Jones and Michelle Ross Cope will compete at Udine, where the world-class opposition is headed by defending champion Lornah Kiplagat.

Kiplagat regained her world 20km record from Paula Radcliffe last year and the Kenyan-born star, who now represents the Netherlands, is confident she can retain her crown.

This year's race will be over the half-marathon distance and Kiplagat's major rivals are expected to be her former Kenyan team-mate Susan Chepkemei and the USA's Olympic marathon bronze medallist Deena Kastor.

There is no British team entered for the men's race, where Zersenay Tadesse is defending the title he won 12 months ago in Debrecen.

The Eritrean has prepared specifically for the event where he can expect a tough encounter with world half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru and his fellow Kenyan, Patrick Makau Musyoki.

Sporting Life / Eurosport